Focus on the Viktoria Quarter: interview with Bochum's Head of Cultural Affairs Michael Townsend
- Series: Kreativ.Quartier.Ruhr
The cultural life in Bochum experiences a lot of changes these days. From the new off-scene hot spot Rotunde and the foundation of the Zukunftsakademie NRW to the planned music centre. In the thick of things, Head of Cultural Affairs Michael Townsend who comments on the cancellation of the planned artist's house "Arts", the standstill of the Platz des Europäischen Versprechens project and the development of the Viktoria Quarter in the interview with 2010LAB.tv.
Mr Townsend, what is left in Bochum three months after the end of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010?
The perception of the Ruhr area has changed: both, with respect to the public image and with regards to our self-conception.
We managed to shake off our image of a little grey mouse; we are a vital and attractive metropolis - we are "Ruhr" and even the people on Berlin know this now!
Within the Ruhr area, even the people who are not interested in culture noticed that culture is not a "nice to have" but a substantial factor for the change in our region. The awareness has changed towards the fact that culture is not just "nice to look at" but that it contributes to economic, social and architectural change in our region. This is something that facilitates the discussion on the importance of culture in our society.
How much of a setback is it for the communal cultural scene that the planned cultural centre "Arts" won't be realised?
I wouldn't call it "setback for the communal cultural scene": in doing so, it would be counter-productive to the idea of a central axis of cultural happenings in Bochum. It would be inappropriate and would overburden the initator of the project.
The business idea of a centre for arts and culture is great but it cannot be realised in the "Alter Posthof" location. Now it's up to the initiator to find a different object which I'm sure she will succeed in.
In your opinion, what are the reasons for the halt after everything seemed to be in the bag and ready to go?
I don't have any further detailed information on it. That was not the topic of the cultural administration. "The state aids those who have difficulties" - to try and create a claim regarding the Office for Cultural Affairs in Northrhine-Westphalia.
The competitive economy is meant to do business and to make money with it. The artist's house was supposed to become a profitable business but the partners didn't manage to establish a cooperation. And that's not an unusual thing in the competitive and even in the creative economy! That's what you call market.
Another lot in Bochum is the Platz des Europäischen Versprechens. What's the state of things there?
The Platz des Europäischen Versprechens consists of two processes.
The artistic process which was aiming at activating people on a Euroopean level to make an (anonymous) "Promise for Europe", and to deal with the idea of "Europe" and its consequences. This process has been completed successfully with approx. 16,000 "promises".
The second process is the architectural realisation. The location will be completed in spring of 2011 so that the two name plates which have been financed by the city of Bochum can be built in and additional name plates can be prepared. The architectural realisation might not be completed for quite some time - let's be honest about it: due to financial constraints!
Insofar, the Platz des Europäischen Versprechens is a reflection of the rough ride Europe has had due to the worldwide economic crisis. However, we will promote the integration of additional name plates for the location.
To what extent does the unconstitutionality of the deficiency bill of the state influence the future of the communal cultural politics?
To speak about the consequences of these procedures for communities, for Bochum, would be pure speculation at this point.
What will be your main tasks as Head of Cultural Affairs in the next few weeks?
Above all, the further realisation of the Viktoria Quarter and the surrounding districts Ehrenfeld, Westend, Westpark and the area around the Zeche. All new projects and the most important established institutions are grounded here. Yet I won't forget about the other cultural instituations in Bochum such as the further development of the railroad museum in Dahlhausen or the cultural-economic business incubator Kulturwerk Lothringen which is very successful.
Which upcoming events in Bochum would you like to promote to the readers of 2010LAB.tv?
In the short run, the "Jewish Cultural Days" that have started on March 23. To my joy, many cultural institutes are participating in the event. As Head of Cultural Affairs in Bochum, I would like to draw your attention to all the other events here as well. If they weren't good, they wouldn't be from Bochum!
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Mr Townsend, what is left in Bochum three months after the end of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010?
The perception of the Ruhr area has changed: both, with respect to the public image and with regards to our self-conception. We managed to shake off our image of a little grey mouse; we are a vital and attractive metropolis - we are "Ruhr" and even the people on Berlin know this now!
Within the Ruhr area, even the people who are not interested in culture noticed that culture is not a "nice to have" but a substantial factor for the change in our region. The awareness has changed towards the fact that culture is not just "nice to look at" but that it contributes to economic, social and architectural change in our region. This is something that facilitates the discussion on the importance of culture in our society.
How much of a setback is it for the communal cultural scene that the planned cultural centre "Arts" won't be realised?
I wouldn't call it "setback for the communal cultural scene": in doing so, it would be counter-productive to the idea of a central axis of cultural happenings in Bochum. It would be inappropriate and would overburden the initator of the project.
The business idea of a centre for arts and culture is great but it cannot be realised in the "Alter Posthof" location. Now it's up to the initiator to find a different object which I'm sure she will succeed in.
In your opinion, what are the reasons for the halt after everything seemed to be in the bag and ready to go?
I don't have any further detailed information on it. That was not the topic of the cultural administration. "The state aids those who have difficulties" - to try and create a claim regarding the Office for Cultural Affairs in Northrhine-Westphalia. The competitive economy is meant to do business and to make money with it. The artist's house was supposed to become a profitable business but the partners didn't manage to establish a cooperation. And that's not an unusual thing in the competitive and even in the creative economy! That's what you call market.
Another lot in Bochum is the Platz des Europäischen Versprechens. What's the state of things there?
The Platz des Europäischen Versprechens consists of two processes.
The artistic process which was aiming at activating people on a Euroopean level to make an (anonymous) "Promise for Europe", and to deal with the idea of "Europe" and its consequences. This process has been completed successfully with approx. 16,000 "promises".
The second process is the architectural realisation. The location will be completed in spring of 2011 so that the two name plates which have been financed by the city of Bochum can be built in and additional name plates can be prepared. The architectural realisation might not be completed for quite some time - let's be honest about it: due to financial constraints!Insofar, the Platz des Europäischen Versprechens is a reflection of the rough ride Europe has had due to the worldwide economic crisis. However, we will promote the integration of additional name plates for the location.
To what extent does the unconstitutionality of the deficiency bill of the state influence the future of the communal cultural politics?
To speak about the consequences of these procedures for communities, for Bochum, would be pure speculation at this point.
What will be your main tasks as Head of Cultural Affairs in the next few weeks?
Above all, the further realisation of the Viktoria Quarter and the surrounding districts Ehrenfeld, Westend, Westpark and the area around the Zeche. All new projects and the most important established institutions are grounded here. Yet I won't forget about the other cultural instituations in Bochum such as the further development of the railroad museum in Dahlhausen or the cultural-economic business incubator Kulturwerk Lothringen which is very successful. Which upcoming events in Bochum would you like to promote to the readers of 2010LAB.tv?
In the short run, the "Jewish Cultural Days" that have started on March 23. To my joy, many cultural institutes are participating in the event. As Head of Cultural Affairs in Bochum, I would like to draw your attention to all the other events here as well. If they weren't good, they wouldn't be from Bochum!
Photos: City of Bochum
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- Bernard Stiegler: We have to invest massivley in culture
- Les rencontres in Clichy – strategies for future capitals of culture
Related blogs:
- The funds for Kreative.Quartiere Ruhr – what will we do with the money
- Tallinn, Capital of Culture 2011 – a springtime scenario against seperation
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Tue, 19.04.2011
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