Back to index of Nerve 14 - Summer 2009

LJMU’s New Design Academy Won’t be Compromised

By Leonardo da Bluetac

After many false dawns, on the 12th January 2009 I arrived at the Liverpool John Moores University’s new Art and Design Academy (ADA) as it finally threw its doors open to staff, local dignitaries and the public…..oh, and the students. The Head of Design, Marvin Downboy, enthusiastically and eloquently delivered a welcome address:

“…and this slide illustrates the 2nd floor. As you can see, room G8 is now studio 11 and room G9 is now studio 3. Moving on to the 3rd floor, we can see that room G11 is now the Cuthbert de Villiers suite and studio 14 is now room G12. Sorry that should be the other way around, I think. Here is a cleaner’s storeroom although all students will be expected to clean up after themselves. We won’t tolerate the Academy’s integrity being compromised.”

After being rudely awoken from my slumber, it was now time to explore this multi-million pound home to LJMU Art and Design students. In a city with a longstanding and rich heritage in the creative arts, the ADA has been described as a ‘landmark building’. Enjoying a prominent position next to the Metropolitan Cathedral and with an architectural ethos that would appear to complement the Cathedral, the ADA could have a case for aspiring to this ambitious description. We’ll see.

Initial impressions of the Academy gave rise to numerous observations: it’s clean, it’s really clean. There’s nothing on the walls. Everything is white. That’s odd, there are no screens for pinning up work. That’s even odder, there aren’t enough desks or chairs for the students. Why are all the windows in our studio facing north? There’s virtually no natural daylight. I know, I’ll press this switch here. Wow, it’s like Blackpool illuminations now! I just hope the green machine don’t latch onto this. The architects seem to have had a sustainability bypass. With lighting like this switched on twelve hours a day the Academy will seemingly be doing its bit to accelerate global warming….or is it climate change this year?

Is this place fit for purpose? It’s a studio day tomorrow so I suppose that’s the real test. I’m looking forward, after all the hype, to actually experiencing the working environment and, as an optimist, I decide to lay to rest my first impressions and enjoy the ride.

On checking my e-mails, prior to attending studio, I find some rules and regulations regarding the use of the Academy; no posters, etc are to be displayed in the corridors of the Academy. No kettles or toasters in the studios. You must not use pins or Blutac for displaying work. Only Whitetac is permissible. All studios are to be kept clean at all times. You must use the disinfectant foot mats and hand wash on entry to the Academy. OK. I made that one up but the place is just so sanitised. It’s like a hospital. I can’t wait for confirmation of the first case of MRSA. That’ll learn ‘em. The place is too precious. For goodness’ sake, it’s a Design Academy not a designed academy!

In the previous building we had our own studio space and could pin up work and store materials for daily use. Not now. We only have two studio days per week and desks have to be cleared at the end of each day, then reclaimed the following studio day on a first come basis. When in studio, do not dare leave your space or, technically, a latecomer who has been lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce, could fill it. Humans, even students, tend to have their little rituals and the perennial latecomers soon spot these. The ones with weak bladders, the nicotine and caffeine addicts are easy prey. This desk clearing policy also kicks up another problem. Students are like pack horses when arriving and leaving the Academy. Preparation for each studio day is now akin to planning an expedition. Anyone involved in design knows that, for the creative juices to flow, there needs to be continuity. You need to be surrounded by your developmental drawings so you can continually reference your ideas. Books, paints, pencils, brushes, tools and modelling materials must be at hand, ALL THE TIME. The Academy simply does not cater for these basic needs and therefore begs the inevitable question, who commissioned it? And who changed our contracts without consulting us? We had daily access to our previous studios and a designated space we could call our own. Now we are hot-desking part-timers attempting to operate in an environment that strangles the life and soul out of creativity.

There are no workshops on site and, strangely, for an academy housing hundreds of design students, no art shop. Staff cars block the cycle area, only one lift is currently working and fire doors are locked. In the lecture theatre it is Baltic one week then tropical the following week. Toilets are out of order, lighting is temperamental, heating is downright belligerent, and ventilation is dependant on windows being opened. Allegedly, a team of security staff were spotted inspecting a piece of rogue Blutac on a wall. Word is, the powers that be have sent it for fingerprint and DNA analysis. “The culprit will be found and dealt with. We will not tolerate the Academy’s integrity being compromised”, the Head of the Academy was allegedly overheard saying whilst coquettishly flicking his ponytail and enjoying a stilton, butternut squash and Peruvian toenail clipping quiche in the lovely, expensive café. Too expensive for your average student, but it caters perfectly for well-heeled administrators and visitors.

You know, it would not be unreasonable to arrive at the conclusion that this place is not really for students. We just pay for its upkeep and the salaries of those who seemingly plot to keep this sanitised space as a cool meeting place for the DPOs and their cronies. Is it just an ego trip for a select few? It is certainly not an academy for spontaneous, energetic and creative studies. There needs to be a change of outlook at the top. Priorities must be realigned with students being the focus of the new building. The students must be encouraged to explore the full potential of the Academy and must be provided for appropriately, instead of being treated like a thorn in the side of the precious police. If not, the lunatics will need to take over the asylum.

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