HYP: Alice Denny
Throughout my life, naturally, I have seen my beloved town change. However, I have never felt change taking place at such a rapid rate as it has done in the past few years. I am left feeling somewhat overwhelmed and bewildered by it, with conflicting feelings on the issue of gentrification.
Change, in whatever form it may take, is often accompanied by feelings of loss, nostalgia and perhaps even a sense of grief. On the other hand, change may be welcomed and is often necessary, albeit with a reluctance to let go. This project explores these themes within the context of Hastings and St Leonards, by taking on a collaborative approach with long-term residents.
Our home has been described in the press as a ‘gritty alternative’ with a ‘Costa Del Dole vibe’, or somewhere that is being ‘regenerated with an arty crowd’. As a long-term resident, I find the language of some of these Sunday supplements frustrating, not to mention often inaccurate and problematic as local people are often left out of the conversation.
I believe that giving a range of local people a voice and a platform to express their feelings is not only essential, but also the most effective way to show an accurate reflection of collective thoughts and feelings surrounding the issue.
I feel that in the face of transformation, it is imperative to create a local archive to preserve memories and local identities as the town transforms. The combination of words, images and place within this project serve to explore and reflect attitudes and emotions of local people, merging their memories of the past and some of their most beloved spots with their thoughts on rapid gentrification, the future of the town and ultimately their own.
This is an ongoing project and I am always looking for people who have grown up or spent a considerable period of time in Hastings or St Leonards to share their thoughts and memories with me. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved.
Alice Denny
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