- Venue
- The Levy Centre, Hackney
- Location
- London
A new building has opened in Hackney, East London. Situated in Lower Clapton Road and part of the regeneration area – a disused electricity showroom has been converted by architects Barker Shorten into the Levy Centre – an educational centre for the community of Hackney. The building is typical of the South Eastern Electricity showrooms across the Home Counties – with their nods towards Art Deco and clean lines and proportions. The frontage of the building is clear glass – the interior thus filled with natural light. The architect has capitalised on this and created a bright, spacious interior with classrooms, cafeteria and administrative area each occupying their individual spaces – but also being part of a homogenous whole. The building is intended to be used by the community to improve literacy and numeracy skills.
Situated within the building are two large wall paintings by the artist Paul Bartholomew. They both contrast with the neutral colour of the building and yet complement it with their cool, geometrical symmetry. The image that strikes you first – the minute you walk in the building [and, indeed, it is highly visible from the outside] is "London Red". Composed of a series of elongated red triangles it covers the whole of the wall at the back of the administrative area. The size and simplicity of the painting are striking. There is also a sense of movement – which is enhanced and enlivened by the red London buses passing frequently outside the building. The painting is reminiscent of the geometrical decorative images found in pre-reformation churches and other buildings, particularly given the fact that it is painted directly onto the wall – giving it a sense of permanency and security in an ever changing environment. The image also seems to invoke a two way communication – appropriate in a learning environment – also with the ends of the triangles pointing to infinity it alludes to the ongoing nature of learning and human development.
To the left of "London Red" is another painting shining brightly over the cafeteria area. On the face of it this image seems more complex than "London Red" but on closer examination it reveals a series of diamond and kite shapes interacting with each other. The overall impression is one of unity. One shape is not more important than the other – thus maintaining a "status quo". This very egalitarian painting therefore relates well to the ethos of the project. The image is an example of Paul Bartholomew's pre-occupation with the use of geometry and its importance throughout history. The colours used are a combination of deep cadmium yellow and pale cadmium yellow with two neutrals – mid and pale grey. The cafeteria is in a particularly sunny area of the building – the rays of sunshine again enlivening and invigorating the painting – much as the passing buses do with "London Red". The kite forms could refer to the aspirations embodied in the educational project. On closer inpection the image has a fine luminosity adding to the sense of space and airiness in this part of the building. It too gives an impression of always having been there – the dimensions of the work relate well to the dynamics of the space – and indeed, to a certain extent, must have been dictated by them.
The paintings have integrated well with the building and have a sense of purpose and place. Paul Bartholomew has stated that one of the functions of his art is that it celebrates and affirms our collective humanity and that it should communicate or allow us to sense the historical continuity of human creativity. This is, of course, appropriate to our continued development today. The Levy Centre's purpose is to provide a resource whereby people who have not been able to achieve in school have a second chance to learn the fundamentals that allow us to make our way in the world. These beautiful paintings are therefore particularly apposite in this environment of optimism and creativity.
