Simon Yuill FSF - 'the free social foundations project'

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FSF maps current use of spaces of free and open assembly in Manchester. A map will be created in collaboration with local people through workshops and interviews. The map will provide an index of how 'the social' is afforded and sustained by the physical environments in which we live - in other words, to what extent are the physical foundations of our social lives 'free'?. These will identify areas in the city where people are able to gather and grade each area in terms of how 'free' and 'open' it is, ie what kind of costs are there in using a given space, what kind of restrictions apply to its use? The mappings will be linked with local oral histories of places which have specific significance, such as being sites of important public debate and protest, or places where an important local subculture has developed. The spaces may range from public parks, and street corners, to shopping centres, cafes, clubs and community halls.

A version of the map will be produced through an online mapping tool where spaces can be identified and either rated or tagged according to the criteria described above and linked to local history accounts. The history accounts will be gathered through recorded interviews. Public participants will have access to enter and edit their own map and historical information. In addition to the online map, physical versions will be available in a free printed format that will be distributed across each city in libraries and shops, etc. A gallery version of the project will present a large blown up version of the map filling a wall in the gallery space. This will be accompanied by a display of the project on a computer and a pile of maps from which visitors can take a copy. The free printed maps take the project back into the physical areas that it documents and enables it to reach audiences who might not have internet access, or who would not normally visit a gallery.

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