Folkestone Triennial

Folkestone Triennial

22 internationally acclaimed contemporary artists and artist groups including Christian Boltanski, Tracey Emin, Mark Dion, Jeremy Deller, Tacita Dean and Mark Wallinger have been commissioned to create new works for the first Folkestone Triennial, Tales of Time and Space, which will run from 14 June – 14 September 2008.

One of the of the most ambitious public art projects to be presented in the UK, the Triennial is a three-yearly exhibition of works which will be specially commissioned for public spaces throughout Folkestone. The selected artists have responded to the invitation with proposals for artworks that engage with the Kent coastal town’s history, population, culture and built environment to create a cutting-edge contemporary art exhibition.

The Triennial is conceived and curated by curator Andrea Schlieker, co-curator of the British Art Show 2005/06, and aims to examine changing notions of art in the public realm.  The inaugural Folkestone Triennial will include both temporary works, which will remain in situ for the three months of the show, and a number of permanent works. This pattern will be repeated in subsequent Triennials so that, over time, Folkestone will become a centre for contemporary art of the highest calibre. 

Curator Andrea Schlieker says: “It’s a tribute to Folkestone’s truly inspirational character that our roster of acclaimed artists from LA to Lodz have all responded with extraordinary enthusiasm and artistic insight to creating works for this seaside town. Our aim is to bring art of the highest quality to the widest audience, and to put Folkestone on the cultural map in the same way that Münster receives world-wide recognition for its Skulptur Projekte. We are especially excited about the legacy element of the Triennial which will maintain the focus on Folkestone as a place committed to contemporary art beyond the timeframe of this inaugural exhibition.”

The Folkestone Triennial forms a major component of the creativity and arts-led regeneration of Folkestone, which is being driven by the Creative Foundation, chaired by leading UK philanthropist Roger De Haan, former chairman of Saga.  Other elements of the regeneration programme include a Foster + Partners masterplan for the redevelopment of the harbour and seafront, a new £38m city academy specialising in the arts, a new University Campus with a strong focus on arts courses, a new performing arts centre and a Creative Quarter with over 100 artists already established in a growing number of refurbished studio, living and retail spaces.  A new high-speed rail link from London St Pancras International will open in 2009.