Elevation

Elevation is an unique portrait of Sheffield's in/famous Park Hill estate, created during an eclipse period between clearance and reinvention. Lauded in its early '60s heyday as a pro-communal network of 'streets in the sky', the structure has since been loved and loathed as one of modernism's most visionary complexes or a crumbling concrete eyesore. Elevation comprises two concurrent elements: a sequence of ten fixed-camera portraits from carefully selected vantages around the estate; and a voiceover interview with longtime Park Hill caretaker Grenville Squires, who eloquently describes the structure's successes and failures. Above all, Elevation is a poignant memento of a turning point in the estate's history, as the last embers of its communal ideal flicker out, and the first glimmers of its coming second life can be sensed. http://www.blanchepictures.com/films/elevation.htm The Sheffield Pavilion 2009 is a limited edition DVD of specially commissioned and existing video works by eleven Sheffield-based artists Richard Bartle, Chloë Brown, Katie Davies, Hondartza Fraga, Steve Hawley, Esther Johnson, Tony Kemplen, Haroon Mirza, Paul Morrison, No Fixed Abode and Third Angel. 'Elevation' was commissioned by Sheffield Contemporary Art Forum for 'The Sheffield Pavilion 2009' Exhibition/DVD/Book project. The DVD/Book was first screened and distributed during the opening days of the 11th Istanbul Biennial at Büyük Londra Hotel, presenting the work of Sheffield-based artists and promoting contemporary art activity taking place in Sheffield, UK in an international context. It features an essay by artist / curator Ian White.