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This commission by the Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Project first came about in 2002 to address some of the eyesore sites in the area and herald the beginning of the enormous environmental changes planned for E16.
This community focussed project specifically looked at the wide range of activities for the children in the area, celebrating and promoting the groups. The intention was to not only to highlight their current achievements but also to engage simply and directly with the youth in the area inviting them to join up and do something really worthwhile.
Mooch worked with each youth group, either visiting and photographing the children in their venue or taking and adapting the images donated by the group leaders. Sensitivity to each group’s need was key, for instance the young offenders mechanics class did not want faces represented and this wish was respected. The treatment of the images was stylised to give an advert feel to the overall impact. The message needed to appeal to passers by and encourage engagement.
Within hours of the opening party led by Sir Robin Wales, the Mayor of Newham, local boys were seen inputting the contact numbers of one of the clubs into their mobiles, public art at public service.