Inside the defunct shell of No 281, though, the space has been cleaned and white-washed by local artists. Voila: a gallery. If that sounds flippant it's because this space is a fledgling. But if it survives, it could play a significant role in the street's regeneration.
Chris Bailkoski, graduate of Salford University and co-founder of 281 Chapel Street explains its beginnings in 2002: 'I'd worked in collaboration for about four or five years with artist Jo Ball. We sent in a proposal to create souvenirs of the Chapel Street area - an area like Chapel Street doesn't get celebrated. We wanted our own space to put our work that reflects the area... so we found this and came to an agreement that we could have it during the project.'
Said agreement was reached with the landlords Salford Council, who positively embrace visual arts activity within what they term their 'cultural strategy'. In fact it's gratifying to note how an individual like Chris and an institution like Salford Council may rhyme with each other in their desires. Both are conjuring a phoenix-from-the-ashes storyline for Salford. Naturally though many artists tread an anxious road and 281's original funding (in the shape of free tenancy) has now expired.
Nonetheless, Chris and his cohorts are determined to keep 281 going for a manageable '12 months of private views.' By showing challenging contemporary work by established and emerging Salford artists, 281 hopes to occupy a self-styled position in the visual arts, far from prissy convention or pure commerce. Instead of a raison d'etre to shift saleable objects,
Chris says, 'It's a free space. There's no worries about trying to sell your work. Or paying for the space."
Indeed, the 281 appraisal of working in the Chapel Street area is primed on the untapped potential of the community's creative assets.
'I could make some public art piece,' muses Chris, 'but it doesn't have any effect apart from a nice aesthetic. It doesn't have real benefits in terms of working with individuals.
' To illustrate, Chris reveals postcards promoting 281 made by one young photographer, 'Sean - aged about 13', who's been encouraged by the 281 artists. The bottom line? 'If you influence just one person, it's worth it."
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