A special episode made for the 'Prospect Us' exhibition at Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) in Newcastle. I visit several private student accommodation blocks in the area and speak to a number of former, current and future students to visit their accommodation or view new accommodation with them and discuss their experiences of searching for and living in this form of housing.
Presented in the gallery alongside a video that compiles imagery and footage from the various student accommodation’s promotional material in the form of a tour around their various spaces.
With thanks to Anna Muddiman, Anna Li, Grace Armstrong, Renee Wong and Anantha Ram Kalepu for their participation.
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'Prospect Us' explores the social, emotional and political impact of commodification of land, rapid urban development and studentification in Newcastle. Through art, satirical games and discussion we’ll examine the power imbalance between landowners, developers, long-term residents and students.
What prospects do students have, having been lured by a glossy prospectus into paying high rents to private accommodation providers?
With land seen as a commodity to squeeze out the maximum profit, what prospects does this leave the people and communities who inhabit the land, but don’t own it?
How can we convince developers to serve the communities they produce as well as the communities they displace, and not only prospect for profit?
Prospect Us seeks to bring different groups together through an exhibition and events to discuss and share knowledge about the effects of studentification, and the commodification of land, housing and communities. A collaboration between SAW, BxNU institute, Newcastle University, artists and researchers.
The project features work by Julia Heslop, Dwellbeing, Mike Jeffries and Lily Arnold. More information: https://www.saw-newcastle.org/prospect-us/
