FOURTH PORTAL
GATEWAY TO THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Unnamed
Regular visitor who wishes not to be identified.
While on an evening river walk with a local group, we stopped at St Andrews to look at Bawley Bay and the low commemorative plaque on the pavement corner. Fascinated by the plants outside, we peered meekly into the lobby. ( A W.I. meeting inside perhaps?). Animated by this discovery, we had an ad hoc discussion-while we blocked the pavement-about what Gravesend meant for us, in its unexpected richness. Many of the group were unaware that there even artists in the town! This individual visited the following day, with the rest being history, as is said.
Q1: How and when did you first discover the Fourth Portal?
While on an evening river walk with a local group, we stopped at St Andrews to look at Bawley Bay and the low commemorative plaque on the pavement corner. Fascinated by the plants outside, we peered meekly into the lobby. ( A W.I. meeting inside perhaps?). Animated by this discovery, we had an ad hoc discussion-while we blocked the pavement-about what Gravesend meant for us, in its unexpected richness. Many of the group were unaware that there even artists in the town! This individual visited the following day, with the rest being history, as is said.
Q2: What were your initial impressions?
St Andrews is now inviting-bowls one over-as it is open for more than just art exhibitions, yoga sessions and play readings. The inviting rich interior, with the evocative stained glass windows and objet d'art provide the stimulus to visit regularly, to support events and to meet friends rather than 'up' in the town.
(As St Andrews is unimpeded on 3 sides, the light reflected off the Thames and from Bawley Bay at high tide, filters through the stained glass windows and is probably as the architect and artist envisaged them to be -as islands of spiritual and visual inspiration.)
Q3: How has Fourth Portal inspired you?
St Andrews emanates positive energy- enhanced by the continually evolving website-and the constant flow of creative visitors.
This suggested to the writer the use of black biro- rather then the revered black ink- freedom from 90 degree paper corners as the paper was slightly off key, and by folding the sheet beforehand, freedom too from the flat surface.(Why not retrieve charcoal from a riverside barbecue, and draw on a greasy crumpled paper bag..indeed!) St Andrews presents an alternative to formal exhibitions, with refreshing insights into ways of making art.
Q4: Will the inspiration be of benefit in the future?
It would be untrue to deny the inspiration and impact that this initiative has had. It has given one the freedom to move away from the expensively mounted, framed art work, the attendant long C.V., the submission and selling fees, the pressure to sell to cover basic costs, as well as 'saving face' under the barrage of...'and you did not even sell!' It was a pleasure to be with unknown creative individuals -artists and visitors alike- all of whom responded with freshness and originality to the proposal.
Q5: (optional) Anything you wish to add?
(One hopes that somewhere in the wordy above, there is a positive kernel for fourthportal.)
The picture will be sent via Whats App, soon. It was taken at about 9.50 am, on the overcast Wednesday 3rd January, from the corner outside the still closed market. Its black mass, with south light filtering through the skylights, inspired this photo.
With my appreciation for your energy, insight and appreciation of the creative process, that enabled Versatility of Paper to become the success it has proved to be. Thank you, too, for your hard work for the accompanying Commemorative Newspaper.