Lone Twin's boat takes the lead

Gregg Whelan explains how the project will come together

An idea to create a wooden boat for the people of the south east has won a Cultural Olympiad award.

Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan of Lone Twin came up with the concept.

They will ask local people to donate wooden objects with personal significance to be made into a seafaring boat.

A professional boat builder will then help the community build the boat using a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques.

Lone Twin's boat will tour the south east

Crewed by trained local people, the boat will be launched in May 2012 and will make a maiden 'Olympic' voyage to locations chosen by the community.

At each location the boat will become a focal point for celebratory arts events.

A collection of stories about the contributors and their donations will also be launched at the event.

Artists taking the lead

Artists taking the lead is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad where artists were asked to submit ideas for work to feature in each UK region.

Five artists from the south east were short-listed for their art commissions.

Project ideas had to meet four core aims:

To be original and led by artists, reflect or inspired by location, show a legacy for communities beyond 2012 and celebrate London 2012 and the values of the Cultural Olympiad.

The total funding for the project across the UK is £5.9 million with £500,000 awarded to the south east commission.

Artists taking the lead

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What do you think of the artists' ideas? Should £500,000 be spent on art? How will it benefit the south east?

Sounds like a great project. There is a strong maritime history in the South East and it sounds a great way of getting various different parts of the community together. I can only imagine building a community boat would be very rewarding. I would like to get involved myself and would like more information on how to do so.
Richard , Tenterden Kent

This "Philistine" is far from being sidelined. I live in a town up to its oxters in 'artists' of one kind or another and the townscape is littered with bits of random metal and stone to show how progressive we all are. Of course the local pavements are cracked and the roads in need of repair but in an artistic way. Half a million pounds would go nowhere, I know that but this over blown 'ship' will not be going far either. The chattering classes will hail the project as 'wonderful' and then move on to the next new thing defined by the fashionistas.
Bunnyrunner, Folkestone Kent

It's a good idea to get the community involved as it sidelines the philistines who think that cash not going into their pockets is a waste. At least someone is making an effort in these depressed times. Money well spent.
James Styles, Whitstable England

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