Adding shades to grey

From Mike Etienne.

IT’S in the news again, the incinerator. Admittedly it is huge, it is ugly and it is expensive. Yet it is there and will so remain.

I would like to make a few suggestions as to what can actually be done to turn this negative into a positive. During the day the use of landscaping would soften the impact of the ‘big box’ and at night, when most people enjoy leisure time, the area lights up.

The finished build would make a superb projection area. I would like to propose that the Percentage for Art budget be used to install top notch projectors that would allow the creation of ‘slide shows’ of art. These would be rotated on a two weekly basis and allow the local art scene access to a state-of-the-art exhibition arena.

Some of many benefits:

• Promote the work of local artists.

• Increase awareness of culture in Jersey.

• State-of-the-art technology.

• Add vibrancy and interest to Incinerator, La Collette and Havre des Pas.

• Encourage fresh air visits to surrounding park areas.

• Two-week cycle of exhibitions become attraction in own right.

• Useful also for historic and cultural events, eg, Liberation Day, Branchage Film Festival.

• Stimulates both local and tourist interest in the area.

• Shows the world what we’ve got and what we can do.

Added to the artist’s impression are a tide meter and thermometer to the La Collette chimney, easily achieved with modern LED technology.

Then the area embraces both the natural elements of temperature and tidal movement – both very important aspects of our particular Island, and highlights the wealth of creative talent thus inspired.

I would be happy to be involved in such a project that adds accents to where we live. Let’s actually do something positive. We know we can if we want to.