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'We can do better'
Partnership Project
Downhill ruin, North Coast
Spring 2024
ROLE: Co -creator
Renowned for his large-scale, monochrome pencil sketches on public buildings around the UK and Ireland, Joe brought his vision to life at Downhill in a visually arresting and environmentally conscious way, using biodegradable materials and sustainable methods.
We knew Joe had form, having undertaken similar projects of this scale and magnitude over the past 10 years (Ulster Museum, Belfast, Trinity college Dublin), as well as a number of other public, often historic, buildings. This proved useful as we were able to touch base with several of these institutes when we had any queries about the proposed artwork.
The process began with conversations involving the main parties, and the artist submitting RAMS for myself and the building surveyor to approve. A series of trials in discreet areas were undertaken in January to see how much of the stone work might come away when the paper was removed, and how long the artwork would withstand the bleak north coast elements before looking unacceptable.
Removing the paper trials after a 4 week period only a small percentage of stone fabric was affected. We submitted a building consent application to local authorities (Historic Environment Division) to help us make the judgement call, being very clear of the delamination, and concluding that the loss was no more than say 2-3 bad winters of weather and the deterioration that might cause. After several site visits and further conversations with the artist, the department gave consent for the artwork to go ahead the week of installation.
It took 3 days to install using cherry pickers.
4 weeks later, the installation came down one evening in under 2 hours. The following day we had very heavy rain for most of the day, and found any remaining tiny fragments were washed away.
'We Can Do Better' has been an amazing co-collaboration between Joe Caslin, the Nerve Centre, National Trust and a group of young women called the Kindred Collective, who have delivered a really iconic piece of work . My role was to work with the artist in the early stages of the project, testing samples to ensure minimal damage to the building during the 4 week installation
