Westfield are currently in the midst of building one of the biggest shopping centre’s in Europe in Stratford City, London and also have ambitions to make it an epicenter of the arts so have formed a Cultural Panel as part of its new Studio East initiative. And have brought together people who are at the top of the field of fashion, art, product design and the environment than Tracey Emin, Tom Dixon, Roland Mouret, Erin O’Connor and Mary Portas?
“Studio East will engage a cultural community to identify, foster and nurture the freshest new talent across four distinct categories,” says Portas (not pictured above), retail expert and Chair of the Cultural Committee. “This initiative will create a fusion of sustainable art, design, culture and fashion within the dynamic environment of Westfield Stratford City which will create a new benchmark for the future of retail.”
Studio East by Westfield Stratford City will provide a bursary for a series of commissions selected by the panel which, on opening, will be incorporated into the new £1.45bn development.
We wonder what Mouret and O’Connor will bring the project, besides the fashion angle of course. Perhaps some amazing boutiques and interactive runway events… that’s all I can envisage so I’ll wait for the results to surprise me.
Tracey Emin said: “I’m very happy to be part of this project initiated by Westfield Stratford City. It’s a brilliant idea to cultivate new talent by helping young artists realise their potential, through exhibition opportunities and giving some financial assistance. I wish there could be more business enterprises that would so readily embrace the visual arts.”
Westfield Stratford City is set to open in late 2011 – just in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games – and will be the gateway to Olympic Park .
