S2:E10 Curating a cultural powerhouse – Simon Cane in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

11/24/22 • 39 min

1 Listener

Summary
In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Simon Cane, Director of Cultural Engagement at University College of London (UCL) and Chair at Kings Cross Knowledge Quarter (KQ). Simon plays a large role in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s development, East Bank, a new cultural and educational powerhouse composed of five organizations located in London, UK. Simon speaks about the benefits and challenges that come with having multiple organizations in one district. He also talks about the different programs and opportunities East Bank has created that promote inclusive growth, diversification within the sector and community engagement. He shares the importance of knowing the surrounding communities and their needs when creating these programs. Simon also shares his thoughts on the benefits of partnering with artists, and how they inspire empathy towards the challenges that local communities face, shifting the conversation and spreading awareness.

Simon later shares his thoughts on iconoclasm, specifically with relation to the ‘Just Stop Oil’ movement and how art can act as a lightning rod, bringing awareness to current issues. He speaks about the ambivalence he feels for movements such as this, and the balance that is necessary to navigate these difficult topics.

Wrapping up the episode with our new segment titled “Things That Keep Me up at Night”, Stephanie shares with listeners her feelings about the recent US midterm elections and her concern for democracy worldwide. She emphasizes the necessity of interdependence, and shares that she seeks out arts news that highlights communities rather than turning to the 24-hour news cycle to stay informed. Creatives are impacting local communities, and artists are needed to activate civic imagination to create meaningful change. She wraps up her monologue by sharing follow up thoughts sent via email by Simon Cane.

External Links

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
East Bank
University College London
London College of Fashion
Sadler’s Wells East
BBC
V&A Museum East
H is for Hostile Environment - moving image piece by Edward Mingard and Keren Weitzberg that explores migration and asylum seeking in East London
Simon was part of an international research project funded by AHRC a few years back on iconoclasms – which resulted in this book
King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter
Four scenarios for a world in disorder
Just Stop Oil's Van Gogh soup stunt is the latest streak of radical art protest by women
The great women's art bulletin: each fortnight Katy Hessel discusses an artwork made by a woman which speaks to today's news agenda
4 museum curators around Boston who are shaping what we see next, and how we see it
LA Vanguardia: An L.A. Times project celebrating the Latino vanguard transforming our cultural landscape
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life

Bio:
Simon Cane is Director of Cultural Engagement at University College of London (UCL) and Chair at Kings Cross Knowledge Quarter (KQ). Whilst his background is rooted ...

External Links

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
East Bank
University College London
London College of Fashion
Sadler’s Wells East
BBC
V&A Museum East
H is for Hostile Environment - moving image piece by Edward Mingard and Keren Weitzberg that explores migration and asylum seeking in East London
Simon was part of an international research project funded by AHRC a few years back on iconoclasms – which resulted in this book
King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter
Four scenarios for a world in disorder
Just Stop Oil's Van Gogh soup stunt is the latest streak of radical art protest by women
The great women's art bulletin: each fortnight Katy Hessel discusses an artwork made by a woman which speaks to today's news agenda
4 museum curators around Boston who are shaping what we see next, and how we see it
LA Vanguardia: An L.A. Times project celebrating the Latino vanguard transforming our cultural landscape
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life

Bio:
Simon Cane is Director of Cultural Engagement at University College of London (UCL) and Chair at Kings Cross Knowledge Quarter (KQ). Whilst his background is rooted ...

Previous Episode

S2:E9 The complexities and simplicities of placemaking – Ramon Marrades in conversation with Criena Gehrke

Summary:

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Ramon Marrades, urban economist, and Director of Placemaking Europe. The two dive right into deep discussion on the human condition and our definition of progress. Ramon shares insightful thoughts on what works when connecting people to their environment, emphasizing the importance of authenticity. They later explore creative bureaucracy, how to create a strong public policy, if strategies should shift post-covid, and much more. Ramon also speaks about Placemaking Week, Placemaking Europe’s flagship conference and festival taking place in Pontevedra, Spain, 27-30 September 2022, and what he hopes will come out of the event.

Wrapping up the episode, Criena shares with listeners a new segment titled “Things That Keep Me up at Night” where she discusses visitor and audience trends, and how they have shifted since the pandemic. She openly wonders if humanity has had enough time to deal with the literal and emotional impacts of Covid – and addresses the unrealistic pressure to quickly recover.

References:

Placemaking Europe– a network for placemaking in Europe, connecting practitioners, academics, community leaders, market actors and policy makers throughout Europe in the field of placemaking, public space, social life, human scale and the city at eye level.
Placemaking Week – Europe's founding and largest placemaking festival. In the spirit of collaboration and inspiration, over 400 practitioners meet every year to share knowledge, learn and network.
Our City? Countering Exclusion in Public Space– Book about strategies, projects, and proposed solution, co-authored by Ramon Marrades.
Creative Bureaucracy Festival – a festival celebrating outstanding examples of innovative public administrations.
Sustainable Development Goals – The UN’s call for action by all countries in a global partnership.
121db – The band that Ramon plays bass in.

Bio:

Ramon Marrades is an urban economist, writer, and activist with a passion for people and places. He is currently Director of Placemaking Europe and Strategy Advisor to the Creative Bureaucracy Festival. Before, he has served as the Chief Strategy and Finance Officer at La Marina de València, Valencia’s waterfront redevelopment agency, and a board member of the Worldwide Network of Port Cities (AIVP). Ramon is a co-editor of the book “Our City? Countering Exclusion in Public Space” (2019) and the host and co-curator of Placemaking Week Europe 2019 and the upcoming 2022 edition. His work focuses on the interface between public space and economic development. He has been a researcher at the University of Valencia (Spain), Western Sydney University (Australia), and FLACSO (Ecuador). He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Valencia and an MSc in Economics and Geography from Utrecht University. He received the Spanish Social Entrepreneur Award in 2012 and co-authored four books and published more than a hundred columns on urban issues in some of the main Spanish newspapers. In 2012, Ramon also co-founded Urbego, an international network of urban professionals dedicated to improving cities through active participation, co-creation, and knowledge sharing; personally leading projects in Australia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Colombia.

Next Episode

S3:E1 The distinctive contribution of architecture – Vincent Chang in conversation with Adrian Ellis

Summary:

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Vincent Chang, Deputy Chairman and Partner at Grimshaw Architects. Together, they explore the distinctive contribution of architecture. Having been with Grimshaw for over 20 years, Vincent also talks about his role managing the practice, and how vital it is for all to share a strong commitment to process – emphasizing the importance of understanding projects more holistically, as well as the butterfly effect that can happen by investing time and capital on initial concepts.

Later in the episode, Vincent shares how to create successful future developments by revisiting and observing past projects over multiple periods of time. He recognizes that architects contribute not only to the technical integration of assets but must also prioritize generating an emotional response and one’s relationship with a space. Vincent talks about the importance of movement modeling when designing a space, which allow architects to understand intended paths of travel as well as ensure an adequate level of service with relation to people moving throughout an area. He states that spaces should have intuitive movement, while also allowing users to pause and observe their surroundings. Adrian and Vincent conclude the episode by speaking about the architectural legacy of the pandemic.

References:

Penn Station Expansion – A commuter-first plan to transform Penn Station into a first-class transit hub that better serves passengers with more space, new retail and amenities, and improved accessibility options.
Google Development in San Jose – Google’s 80-acre Downtown West project, first proposed in 2019.
Urban Design Forum – the Urban Design Forum convenes civic leaders to confront the defining issues in New York City’s built environment.
Fulton Center – a subway and retail complex centered at the intersection of Fulton Street and Broadway in Lower Manhattan, New York City.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science – a leading science museum dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future.

Bio:

Vincent Chang is Grimshaw's Deputy Chairman and Partner. He has been with Grimshaw since 1996 and has played an instrumental role in the expansion of the practice while maintaining a commitment to the quality, rigor and reputation for excellence that Grimshaw is known for. He established the firm's New York office in 2001 and was instrumental in securing the AIA New York Chapter's Medal of Honor Award in 2015 (the Chapter’s highest honor that is conferred on an architect, or firm of architects, to recognize distinguished work and high professional standing). Vincent is a graduate of Cambridge University and is a registered member of both the Royal Institute of British Architects and the American Institute of Architects, and Living Future Accredited by the International Living Future Institute.