March Market Place Enhancement Banner Project Information

The Project

Spring/ summer 2000 brings a new look to the centre of March. Throughout 1999 Artist Zoë Chamberlain has been working with Fenland District Council in the development of designs for a floorscape feature and integrated range of street furniture for the Market Place area that will be unique to the town. The aim, to preserve and improve the function of the space and to provide an enhanced social setting.

The overall scheme has been planned in a way which respects history and tradition, but which also looks to the future. The strong influence of the road, river and rail on the development of the town and market in particular has been established as a starting point for the development of ideas. March was the home of one of the biggest Marshalling Yards in Europe at one time, and was a central part of the life of the River Nene, which flows adjacent to the Market Place. The scheme aims in some way to reflect the important connections March still has beyond itself today.

The design evolves through a linear floorscape feature, which through the use of abstract form links the history of river and rail. The curved lines, almost eel-like, suggest the river with the recognisable track-like imagery to represent the railway. The accompanying street furniture will connect visually with the floorscape design.

Fabricated from cast iron and wood, the seating is designed to hint at railway architecture, with the tapering effect also suggesting lines disapearing into the horizon. Cast-iron bollards have been incorporated into the scheme, based on the idea of a 'Buffer' bollard. A hinged door allows the 'buffer' to be opened for access to services by traders. The fingerpost has been designed as 'Signal' signage, with the 'fingers' cast to look like signals, variations on an existing model, but unique to our scheme. The design for the 'Railway' railings combines the reference to the road, river and railway, with the 'Track' cycle rack also suggestive of our theme. The 'Line' lighting columns emphasise the idea of routes crossing.

An important element of the scheme is the incorporation of two flag and banner poles for in front of theTown Hall. This series of four celebratory banners have been designed with input from members of the community, a fitting way to mark the completion of the project, and the new life of the Market Place.

The Design Process

Working with over 50 people the Artist Zoë Chamberlain has co-ordinated a programme of workshops with different groups in the town to generate ideas for inclusion in the final banner designs. Supported by Fenland District council in partnership with March Town Council and March Twinning Association, the project has been an excellent opportunity for the people of March to have some input and gain an insight into the creation of a new public space.

Structured sessions were held with children from Burrowmoor school and Young People March Centre, and adults from the Dartford and Bowthorpe Centres. Open drop-in sessions aimed at families and young adults were promoted through the press and an assembly visit to Neil Wade School. The project also allowed young Artists from March, training at the Isle College, the experience of working alongside a professional Artist as workshop assistants.

Using simple collage techniques the participants were encouraged to pick out particular characteristics linked to our theme of road, river and rail, to symbolise life in March. Many created images to respresent aspects of work and play, plus also thought about key environmental and architectural features of the town. Some thought about using lines and circles to represent aspects of road, river and railway life in terms of abstract symbols. Whilst others considered March as a hub or node with many connections beyond itself, in particular the town's link with St Jean de Braye in France.

A competition was set up to recognise the contribution made by the participants to the project. All the collages produced during the workshops were entered. The Judges found it hard to choose an overall winner from over 50 high standard entries, so decided to award additional runners up prizes too.

The collaged ideas have been incorporated by the artist into an overall concept for the finished banners.

Outline Design

The outline design aims to search for a style which is appropriate in its civic context, but which also has a contemporary feel. It aims to connect with the designs for the rest of the Market Place Enhancement.

The overall style for the banners has been influenced by the work produced during the workshop sessions, and the visual connection between railway symbols (chevrons etc.) and heraldic motifs used traditionally in banners. The use of symbols or icons in the final design makes reference to highways signage and imagery that is already present in the public domain.

The border squares, geometric like the landscape, represent greens for earth and blues for water. They are interspersed with gold squares which hold the key symbols of March, past and present. These sillouhette symbols are derived mainly from the work produced by participants in the workshops and incorporate the civic crests representing the formal elements of the community and figurative and abstract representations of aspects of March.

The stylised landscape images each emphasise the river and rail connection. The railway symbols work their way across the landscape of sky and the earth that is black gold. See if you can find the eight barges within the water landscape representing those that initially formed March as a port.

Each landscape image is paired with a series of symbols chosen to represent our theme, past and present, through work and leisure.

The next step is to finalise the design and prepare them for production. The banners are to be printed double sided on a PVC vinyl for installation around the end of May.

Zoë Chambelain 2000