Photomap

[Image taken 5.2.23] De Grey Rooms, St Leonard’s Place, York. Planks as hoardings on the De Grey Rooms (www.yorkconservationtrust.org/our-buildings/de-grey-rooms) I get the 'sustainable' message. But in thinking globally they are missing the point: hoardings have an immediate impact locally. There’s a lot missing here. People passing on foot, in buses, coaches, or looking at the view from the square opposite don’t know what this building is or why there are hoardings. It’s still a blank wall that doesn’t engage (compare with: #165206), excite or educate (see: #165292, #165294). This is a missed opportunity. And surprising because the website of the York Conservation Trust makes much of the need to explain what a building or space is, why it is important, etc... www.yorkconservationtrust.org/our-work/conservation-principles. Hoardings overview: #165189. Other images this subject today: #190829, #190830, and from 6.2.23: #190836. Other image today and links: #190824.
REPLY: A response from YCT on 8.2.23 says: "Stimulating artwork and narrative devices can add much to our streetscapes but they are not a priority for this project where York Conservation Trust is 100% funding a programme of conservation works at De Grey Rooms / De Grey House in order to put them back into meaningful use with public access.
The limited funds available to us have been prioritised around high standards of conservation work and renewal of services in the buildings; with that in mind we have not allocated resources to one off artworks whose life span would be very short. Rather, we have ensured that the temporary safety / security hoarding is recyclable; it is robust, moveable, storable and re-useable on other projects.
For your interest, we are also redeveloping our web site; currently that is a work in progress; shortly it will offer up to date project news as well as information about all of the buildings for which we are responsible."
My view: I am concerned public space is not considered important enough to be factored into the works.