Should Art be the New Steel?

Zollverein Coking Plant, modern works swimming-pool in industrial surroundings, Essen.  Photo: Manfred Vollmer

Last month the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Toronto presented “Cities that Work - The Ruhr Meets Hamilton,” an exhibit featuring the work of Manfred Vollmer and Studio 12, a photographic artists’ collective that started about 2 years ago including works by Shirley Dennis, Mary Gilmour, Todd Murray, John Overmeyer, Martin Renters and Ruth Renters.

The images in the city of Essen, taken by Vollmer, depict the architectural landscapes of former industrial sites that have been transformed into cultural landmarks and centers (examples shown above and below).  These were contrasted against 18 images of Hamilton, produced by Studio 12.

These images really brought to life the phrase I've been seeing reprinted on t-shirts around Hamilton lately, "Art is the New Steel."  What exactly does that mean?  I think it means different things to different people.  To some, it is an attempt to re-package the Hamilton we know as Steel Town.  It offers us a different perspective on the "industrial behemoth" stereotype that has been attached to the city.  It reminds us that there is more to Hamilton than what is recognized by the outside world.  A (thriving) city never inhabits just one type of person.  In this way, I appreciate this new idea as it helps us identify with parts of the city, and people that were once below the radar.  It has given people a fresh glimpse of Hamilton and the creativity and talent and ideas that dwell within.

Having said that...

While I appreciate this idea of "Art is the New Steel" I also reject it as an absolute.  I have two concerns with it, the first being that when a city puts all of its eggs in one basket it risks becoming too dependent on that particular area, as we have just learned with Hamilton's fading dependency on the Steel Industry.  I also caution against this new re-branding because it fails to recognize those who have been displaced by the change in our local economy.  What identity are we forcing people into?  Are steelworkers the new artists?  What about everybody else?  Is this re-branding perhaps too specific, and limiting?

I wonder if the day will ever come when I will swim in a pool surrounded by one of our local factories, as compared to the image above of the Coking Plant in Essen.  How would I feel sun-bathing against the backdrop of an empty industrial site?  On one hand I like how it shows a clever ability to adapt to whatever comes our way, but it should also serve as a reminder that there was/is life in such places.  That life does not distinguish or disappear when a company decides to shut things down.

I believe us Hamiltonians have a strong ability to reclaim whatever mess comes our way.  However, I sincerely hope that there will be a place for everybody in the future of Hamilton.   

Entrance to Ruhr Museum at former coal-mine Zeche Zollverein, reconstructed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, Essen / Photo: Manfred Vollmer