Project X Presents was, and continues to be a huge inspiration to Mr Elephant. Some of us have been involved with Project X from the start, and Mr Elephant was born out of the experience of the first Project X Presents Event, the early Rockfall events, and a lot of what was going on in Birmingham at the time.

One of those things that was going on in brum was the noise abatement orders Our first home for the first Project X Event, and the first Mr Elephant festival style events – Epic Skate Park, ended up being shut down due to one obsessive complainer. Then followed the first home for the Mr Elephant Family Events – The Prince of Wales, which Keith & Diane were again really keen to use for arty and community events, but yet again they are facing more and more restrictive legislation, which pretty much stops them doing anything.

All of the above events were very safe, full of lovely people, incorporated both family events in the day and music events on the evening and generated a wealth of positive response from all ages, yet both events were not able to continue at the venues, because of the restrictions imposed upon them by the council. Its worth noting that our 6th event host – the fabulous the Rainbow Beach for Celebrate Birmingham’s Underground was also under scrutiny, and it seems that all these venue owners, (promoters and collectives) are all just trying to do great stuff for Birmingham, always at great financial risk, but seem to be constantly limited by the very council who is looking to put Birmingham on the map with the big city plan!?

Following some initial conversations with John Tigue and John Mostyn, the stirrer and created in birmingham was the first time we read about all this online, and it inspired 3 investigative reports from Ruth Robinson on Digbeth (who herself has a deep interest and experience in the development of areas). They raised an interesting question of whether the complaints were also linked in with the developers plans, and whether the intention to close venues down was not because of any real problems or issues, but to develop the vision of splitting Digbeth in quarters, as part of the Big City Plan, regardless of the impact on business and the city.

We’re not sure, but it leads really nicely onto this insightful Project X Presents video – Music Is Not Pollution, with interviews from John (Spotted Dog), Keith (Epic/Prince), Kent (Rainbow), and an abacus resident, all of which raise some very interesting points. One of which being why would the council want to stop such venues when there is such a huge support for them and only a handful of complaints, and when they are wanting to put Birmingham on the map in such a big way.

If you have anything to say, please feel free to comment. Now we’ve got the website going again, this video has inspired us to follow up some interviews we did in 2007. We’ll post links to any further debate from the Project X Presents collective, and anything else we can find, and feel free to add links yourself in comments

Here is the final of 3 reports on the digbeth regeneration from investigative artist Ruth Robinson

The ‘Digbeth 2008’ reports are part of the ongoing study ‘An Account of Profit & Loss’- research of regeneration in the midlands. This work has been carried out independently without the aid of mainstream funding a mission I undertook under the guise of the ‘MISC.ellaneous organization’. This experience has not only advanced my research project, but also provided a starting point for the evolution of Eastside. The findings contribute to an ongoing public conversation in the local area and hopefully will lead to a negotiation with developers and the hierarchy that they represent.

The adaptation of the artistic role can construct and reinforce community ties therefore building strategies that might lead to ‘communicative action’- an important principal of Habermasian theory. I hope that the space that I have occupied might now be handed to ordinary working people, having established a site for text that allows open and opinionated discussion. I am proud to have been part of other similar protests that unite our community, enforce change and allow for common debate.

Communication leads the way, but an extent of control is required in order for this to become effective. Chaos alone will not change anything in an area of regeneration- a balance is needed between compliance, understanding and respect for difference. Resistance to blogging and text splurge of a hedonistic nature, if well constructed and contextualised, will focus our recognition on how free space can cause change and effect in society.

Reprise
This exploration began on the sixteenth of January at the Digbeth Business Association’s ‘What they are planning for Digbeth’ event. Having spent 12 months looking at the changes in the area I am now hoping to share the data I have collected and utilise the findings of this research study. RHR2008.

You can find me at: http://miscorg.blogspot.com

Report #2

I recently asked Carl if he would comment about regeneration in Digbeth:

“Whilst regeneration of Digbeth can be a good thing I believe that it must integrate sensitively with the historic landscape and work carefully with established manufacturing businesses and licensed premises especially. Digbeth and Deritend are working areas and I am concerned that both are in danger of being transformed into another part of ‘apartment Birmingham’, an entity which has no connection with the past and which does not have an affinity with manufacturing and pubs.” (Carl Chinn, June 2008).

Carl highlights concerns that many of us are presently tackling and taking up issue with.

The Big City Plan will affect the lives of all those living and working inside the middle ring road for at least the next fifteen years. This process is not unique to Digbeth. Other towns in the West Midlands are undergoing comparable changes and in every industrial city in Britain we see similar patterns of transformation in the name of regeneration.

Common distaste for regeneration stems from the failure of Governments to acknowledge the selling out of British manufacturing and the ongoing denial of a working class supports and expands this ignorance. The instrumentalised decline of industry outmoded the labouring population of Britain, leaving traditional trades and skills surplus to requirement in a working climate based on commerce alone. The infiltration of such business systems destroying workers solidarity and now eating into the core of national services- service no longer a duty or helpful action, but a measurable commodity.

Industrial belts like Digbeth, in the wake of British industry, are earmarked for branding as ‘lifestyle quarters’, the new industry of Digbeth- the ‘Creative and Cultural’. Existing businesses that do not correspond with the desired lifestyle stereotype are encouraged to diversify and buy into imagined communities rather than finding support in their existing state. This state of flux and impending decline sends visual messages to onlookers who then back stark regeneration rather than renovation and restoration as an option for existing local enterprise.

Digbeth’s ‘Creative and Cultural’ status and the inevitable expansion of the Custard factory will continue to effect the immediate location and the working community. This brings into question not only the historical context, but the focus that is now put on artistic labour and the influence this will have on trades excluded from the ‘Creative’ sector. The arts and the art not’s. The elevation of the ‘Creative’ role will further alienate the function of the worker. How will the arts funded under the conditions of Bourgeois reality cope with an essentially contradictive environment that is fundamentally hostile to art?  (RHR July 2008)

Here is the first of 3 reports on the digbeth regeneration from investigative artist Ruth Robinson

Report #1

Industrial belts like Digbeth that were once the guts of our nation, now lie in states of limbo as Government and private developers grapple with the complexities of regenerating spaces and local identities.

Investment should not disregard existing ways and means of living and would be advised to support rather than engulf active communities. Realistic planning benefits from grass-roots intervention as the professional consultation process remains disconnected from communities and isolates individuals.

Walking, talking and standing still are important to the outcome of my work and in the influence we have on the fabric of our communities – finding commonality and sharing experience reliant on our contact. Today’s pace of life often leads us to forget the power of a smile or spoken word.

Development of up-market residential zones and the expansion of all considered ‘Creative’ and ‘Cultural’ threaten the growth of independent economies outside these sectors- loud and lively elements discouraged in favour of appropriated art. Digbeth High Street seemingly split down the middle into a ‘Creative side of the street’ and a potential residential zone. The suppression of popular entertainment and activities will only extinguish the vibrancy that already exists.

As an artist I should be rubbing my hands together. Instead I am concerned that yet again the activities of an existing working community will be disregarded in favour of preferred bourgeois lifestyle options. The research and outreach in Digbeth will focus on the workers of the area. Responding to current debate and the predominant issues surrounding the invention of a place called Eastside. (RHR April 2008)

Hello gorgeous human types

A lot of people have been asking me, where i’ve been, and more importantly when the next mr elephant event will be after the unfortunate closure of our home at Epic Skate Park, (which did you know was down to just one obsessive compulsive complainer, who also happened to be a lawyer….again!) Similar things btw, seem to be happening again at the Spotted Dog, so do please read this if you haven’t already.

Me, i’ve been loading up on human culture, and checking out some amazing music on a recent trip around the world, and while i’m still based in my park, its getting fxckin cold, so I will be moving in with a friend while the winter is here.

Whilst i’m at his house, we will be working on the next 4 Mr Elephant events, and we have put around 6 months of work into it all so far. We have much work still to do on redeveloping the site, so i’m going to keep shush until then, as we have been cooking up some cool stuff.

In the meanwhile, here’s a sneak dload of my 2nd mixtape specially, which is all about my journey around the world. Just right click and “save link as”. I really hope you enjoy it, and comments are appreciated. As ever please check out any of the artists you like via the links.

Please see Radio Show 2