Folkestone Triennial

Folkestone Triennial

The Folkestone Triennial is a three-yearly exhibition of contemporary artworks sited in public spaces throughout Folkestone. Andrea Schlieker conceived and curated the inaugural exhibition in 2008 and will direct the second Folkestone Triennial in the summer of 2011.

Permanent Artworks
Arts and regeneration charity The Creative Foundation, organiser of the Folkestone Triennial, has announced that eight of the twenty two works commissioned for the 2008 exhibition will remain permanently in the town. Andrea Schlieker says: “Folkestone can now offer an extraordinary collection of works by world-renowned artists in the public realm which can be enjoyed at all times by residents and visitors alike. The eight works form the basis of a permanent collection, which will grow over the years and promise to make Folkestone a unique destination for contemporary art in the UK. Please click here to see the list of works that will remain in the town.

A new Visitor Centre has opened in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter to provide information about the Triennial’s Permanent Artworks including new maps and audio guides, as well as the opportunity to view archive copies of three of the films commissioned for the 2008 Folkestone Triennial by Adam Chodzko, Langlands and Bell and Patrick Tuttofuoco. A reading area offers background information about different models of art in the public realm. The 2008 Folkestone Triennial catalogue ‘Tales of Time and Space’ can be purchased at the Centre as well as books about the participating artists.

Folkestone Triennial 2008
22 internationally acclaimed contemporary artists and artist groups including Christian Boltanski, Tracey Emin, Mark Dion, Jeremy Deller, Tacita Dean and Mark Wallinger were commissioned to create new works for the first Folkestone Triennial, Tales of Time and Space, which ran from 14 June – 14 September 2008. The artists responded with works that engaged with the Kent coastal town’s history, population, culture and built environment to create a cutting-edge contemporary art exhibition.

Context
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 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 December 2009.