Diorama Arts Cooperative Explained

Diorama Arts Cooperative (DAC) was a mixture of actors, artists, dancers, designers, journalists, musicians and therapists who used the Diorama theatre in Regent's Park between 1976 and 1992.[1] In September 1981, DAC was incorporated as the charity Diorama Arts Centre.[2]

According to the Theatres Trust, "In the 1970s, the arts collective created a small theatre within a lively arts centre, widely known as a place for arts, craft, theatre, concerts and more." The book The Diorama Arts Project said, "Diorama arts is a community arts group particularly concerned with the handicapped and under-privileged, which plans to convert the Regents Park Diorama building for use as its headquarters."[3]

At Christmas 1992, Diorama Arts Centre left the building; its landlords, the Crown Estate Commissioners and Camden Council relocated the organisation to a new development nearby in Osnaburgh Street.[1] [4] The Old Diorama Arts Centre, now at the Regent's Place campus, continues the charity.[5]

Timeline

Building

The building taken over by the DAC was originally used by Louis Daguerre, a pioneer of photography.[6] Designed by John Arrowsmith and built by Morgan & Pugin, the Diorama exhibited paintings by Daguerre and Bouton.[4] The brick building was polygonal in shape, and its frontage is visible in a long row of Regency-era buildings designed by John Nash. The popular, short-lived form of visual entertainment consisted of painted scenes dramatised with lighting and other effects. Artist John Constable, who attended the first showing in September 1823, wrote to his friend Archdeacon Fisher: "It is in part a transparency, the spectator is in a dark chamber, and it is very pleasing and has great illusion..."[7]

Daguerre's diorama closed in 1848 due to falling income, and by 1854 had been converted into a Baptist chapel.[4] The chapel closed in 1922 and was taken over by the Red Cross, who joined with Middlesex Hospital. During the 1920s, Thomas Pole designed the Octagon in the Diorama; a rheumatism-treatment hydrotherapy pool was installed, and the hospital left the building by 1964.[4] In 1965, Bedford College moved in their Geography, Zoology and Social Research Departments; the college left .[4] The Octagon's internal shape was used by the DAC, and a resident cafe was later named after it.

1976 to 1981

By c.1976, an arts cooperative had taken over the Diorama.[1] According to a New Statesman article, "The Crown granted annual leases to some dyslexia therapists who used music and drama; gradually the building filled with artists and therapy groups who paid small rents (to cover the cost of the upkeep) to the collective which became Diorama Arts."[8] Poet and drama therapist Larry Butler remembered his involvement: "Before coming to Glasgow in 1981, I was the founder and warden of the Diorama Arts Co-operative, director of PlaySpace Trust and Matchbox Theatre."[9] [10] [11]

Former Matchbox Theatre member Hazel Carey wrote in her book, Ubuntu: my life in other people,

The website My Camden said, "In the late seventies artists and performers took up residence in the Diorama building by Regent's Park, developing a co-operative approach to the arts, education, therapy, and disability arts."[12]

1981 to 1992

After a Crown Estate Commissioners (CEC) request, Diorama Arts Centre was incorporated as a charity and company on 15 September 1981; in 1982, a rental agreement was formalised.[1] [13] [14] Until then, it had a peppercorn rent of about £25 per year.

In 1983, the group faced eviction; Greycoats Estates, acting for the CEC, sought to redevelop the Diorama into offices. DAC fought the attempted eviction, and won the case in 1984 after a public inquiry by the Department of the Environment.[1]

Helped by URBED's (Urbanism, Environment and Design Ltd.) 'Re-use of Industrial Buildings Service' by February 1984, the Diorama Arts Trust was formed to propose a scheme which resulted in a £4 million fundraising effort through and beyond 1984.[1] [15] [16]

CAST (Cartoon Archetypical Slogan Theatre, led by Roland Muldoon) agreed to become members of Diorama Arts in June and July 1984.[17] [18] In August 1984, the CEC began an appeal to reverse Camden Council's (CC) failure to allow renovation of the Diorama.[19] CC's director of planning and communications refused a planning application submitted by Hunter & Partners on behalf of the CEC in August 1986.[20]

The National Archives has a catalogue "The Diorama, Regent's Park" covering the dates 1 December 1985 to 31 December 1988.[21] The website Library of Book refers to "Diorama Arts Trust Correspondence May 1986 To October 1990": "Correspondence from the Diorama Arts Trust (of which Denys Lasdun was a patron) over the future of the historic Diorama building in Regents Park."[22]

On 25 January 1990, the Diorama Arts Trust held a press conference which included a press release, a list of trust members and reactions to the trust's plans to preserve the Diorama.[23] According to the Old Diorama website, "... Diorama Arts Centre Ltd. combines a wide range of artistic activities organised in such a way as to provide a self-funding public building dedicated to the arts. Only after several years of campaigning through the courts and in the community have we been able to rescue the building from neglect, obscurity and demolition."[24] At Christmas 1992, Diorama Arts Centre left the building as the CEC and CC relocated the organisation to a new development in nearby Osnaburgh Street.[1] [4]

Music

Elvis Costello wrote in his song, "London's Brilliant Parade", "The lovely Diorama is really part of the drama, I'd say".[25] Percussionist Jon Keliehor of Matchbox Theatre began a music studio around 1976, which continued until 1984 and was later called the Diorama Percussion Music Research Unit.[1] [11] During his time at the Diorama, Keliehor continued writing music for dance, drama and theatre. Through his involvement with the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, early support came from co-founder and CEO Robin Howard.[26] [27] The 1977 Many Ways of Moving conference resulted in the Diorama becoming a centre of the alternative dance movement network.[28]

Between 1976 and 1992, musicians who played at the Diorama included:

Art

Artists who have exhibited at the Diorama include:

Drama, video and film

Graeae Theatre Company began using the building as rehearsal space in February 1980 before performances at the University of Guildford in May of that year and a tour of the United States shortly thereafter:[49] Quoting: "It was going to take two or three months to get the show together. Some of the cast members were working, with full time 9 to 5 jobs, 5 days a week. Secondly, one was a full time mother and thirdly we were from various parts of Britain."[50] Videographers and filmmakers included Gaynor O'Flynn, Richard Layzell and Katharine Meynell.[51] [52] [53] In 1982, Cosey Fanni Tutti recorded "Diorama - live action by Cosey at the Diorama."[54]

Art in Danger, in 1985 and 1986, included the Bow Gamelan Ensemble, Richard Layzell, Anne Seagrave and the Wild Wigglers.[55] The East London Theatre Archive has CAST New Variety at the Diorama flyer images dating from 1984.[56] [57] [58] [59] A number of items on the Diorama during the 1980s and 1990s are part of the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum collection, including item numbers: 97928, 97933, 97934, 97939, 97944, 97945, 97947 and 97949 from 1982 to 1992.[60]

The London Disabilities Forum (LDF) held their first annual general meeting at the Diorama in April 1988; that month, a cabaret (later to become the Workhorse) was launched.[61] The LDF staged "Out of Ourselves", a visual-arts exhibition, in February 1990.[62] In June of that year, Shape Arts staged the "No Excuses Theatre Cabaret" by a Liverpool-based company of disabled actors.[63] Drama collective The Mombasa Roadshow drama collective performed "The White Devil" in March 1989 and "The Bacchae" in April 1990.[64]

Other activities

The Philadelphia Association (PA) had an office and, later, a consulting room in the Diorama by 1981; the PA's Hilary Randall and Paul Zeal became directors of the DACL.[2] [65] [66] Collusion magazine was based at the Diorama in 1982 and 1983.[67] The magazine was founded by Steve Beresford, Sue Steward and David Toop in 1981, and its musical content included experimental, global, popular and world. After five issues, the magazine ceased publication in September 1983.[68]

Performance magazine was based at the Diorama from 1982 to 1987:[69] "Between 1979-1992 Performance Magazine documented an extraordinary period in the development of art in the UK. With its maverick and punk ethos Performance Magazine embodied an immensely active community of artists, writers and publics that crossed disciplines throughout the late 70s, 80s and the start of the 90s."[67] [70] [71] The fashion company Slag had a studio at the Diorama from 1984 until its 1992 closure: "They're 25ish, have no admitted names other than Andy (him) and Adie (her) - collectively Slag ... They perch in a workroom in a run-down peculiarity of a building - the Diorama - and their place looks like a carnival novelties store, or a backstage attic prior to final closure. But then, they belong to that generation which grew up in playspace cluttered with encouragements to creativity ..."[72] Studio Upstairs had a studio at the Diorama from 1989: "At Studio Upstairs, people with psychiatric problems have a place to express their interests and abilities through art ... Behind its Regency facade, Diorama's interior hides a hive of activity including a cafe (The Octagon), Tai Chi classes, and musicians of all sorts".[73] The Neo Naturists body painters presented a May Day performance at the Diorama in 1990.[74]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Diorama Arts Centre Ltd.. Hackney Empire collection. 6 April 2022.
  2. Web site: Diorama Arts Centre Ltd. Governing Document. Crown Copyright. 15 September 1981. 10 April 2022.
  3. Book: The Diorama arts project. Open Library. 1983. 20853781M . 14 May 2022. 14 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230314153332/https://openlibrary.org/books/OL20853781M/The_Diorama_arts_project. live.
  4. Web site: Diorama Arts Centre. Theatres Trust. 21 May 2022. 22 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222185250/https://database.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/428-diorama-arts-centre. live.
  5. Web site: Old Diorama Arts Centre. Old Diorama Arts Centre. 26 April 2022.
  6. Web site: Daguerre (1787–1851) and the Invention of Photography. Malcolm Daniel. Metropolitan Museum of Art. October 2004. 8 July 2022.
  7. Book: Saunders . Ann . Regent's Park: From 1086 to the Present . 1981 . Bedford College . London . 0-900145-62-5 . Second.
  8. News: One and only. Jules Lubbock. New Statesman. 2 December 1985.
  9. Web site: Larry Butler. Holy Isle Project 2022. 2022. 27 April 2022. 26 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230226160813/https://www.holyisle.org/the-project/leaders/view/31. live.
  10. Web site: Larry Butler. Autumn Voices. 27 April 2022. 26 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230226161041/https://autumnvoices.co.uk/about/steering-group/. live.
  11. Book: Ubuntu: My Life in Other People. Hazel Carey. Matador. 87–89. 22 November 2016. 978-1785898457.
  12. Web site: Diorama Arts Centre. My Camden. 17 June 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216163834/http://www.mycamden.co.uk/camden/arts-reviews_diorama_gallery/. live.
  13. Web site: Memorandum of Association of Diorama Arts Centre Limited. The Registrar of Companies. 18 August 1981. 16 February 2023. 24 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230324162509/https://www.keepandshare.com/doc23/118469/diorama-arts-centre-ltd-memorandum-of-association-1981-pdf-1-1-meg?da=y/. live.
  14. Web site: Certificate of Incorporation of a Private Limited Company No. 1585918. Crown Copyright. 15 September 1981. 5 June 2022.
  15. Web site: Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society. GLIAS. February 1984. 8 April 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216165425/http://www.glias.org.uk/news/090news.html. live.
  16. Web site: The Diorama Arts Trust Company. Crown Copyright. 14 April 2022.
  17. Web site: Membership agreements. JISC. June 1984. 6 May 2022.
  18. Web site: Unfinished Histories - CAST. Unfinished Histories. 26 June 2022.
  19. Web site: Photocopy of a document from the Department of the Environment dated 20 August 1984 detailing the Crown Estates's appeal to the Council of the London Borough of Camden's failure to give permission for the renovation of The Diorama, Regent's Park. The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. 20 August 1984. 15 May 2022.
  20. Web site: Report of the Director of Planning, London Borough of Camden. JISC. 14 August 1986. 6 May 2022.
  21. Web site: The Diorama, Regent's Park. The National Archives. 12 May 2022.
  22. Web site: Diorama Arts Trust Correspondence May 1986 To October 1990. LibraryofBook. May 1986. 15 May 2022.
  23. Web site: Photocopy of a series of documents relating to a press conference held by the Diorama Arts Trust on 25th January 1990 including a press release, a list of the trust's members, and some reactions to the trust's plans to preserve The Diorama, Regent's Park as an arts centre. The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. 25 January 1990. 15 May 2022.
  24. Web site: Old Diorama Arts Centre history. the Old Diorama. 23 June 2022.
  25. Web site: London's Brilliant Parade. ML Genius Holdings, LLC. 11 November 1994. 26 November 2023.
  26. Web site: The Beginning Of Time. deejay.de. 13 October 2016. 31 May 2022. 22 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222191307/https://www.deejay.de/Jon_Keliehor_The_Beginning_Of_Time_INVINC09LP_Vinyl__243662. live.
  27. Web site: Robin Howard's papers. JISC. 1964–1996. 5 June 2022.
  28. Web site: Many Ways of Moving. JISC. 1976–1979. 5 June 2022.
  29. Web site: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Chronology. From The Archives. 11 April 2022.
  30. Web site: Bow Gamelan Ensemble. Chrissie Iles. Performance Magazine. 35. 20–23. 11 April 2022.
  31. Web site: Billy Bragg at Diorama, London, England. setlist.fm. 4 May 2022.
  32. Web site: CAST New Variety presents. Unfinished Histories. January 1986. 12 May 2022.
  33. Web site: Arc 1990 May. Phatmedia. 27 May 1990. 11 May 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216100243/https://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/arc-1990-may. live.
  34. Web site: Crazy Feet 1989 March. Phatmedia. 26 March 1989. 11 May 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216100552/https://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/crazy-feet. live.
  35. Web site: Karma (Energy) Space Race. Phatmedia. 13 June 1990. 11 May 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216132202/https://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/space-race-karma-productions-great-portland-st-london-nw1-1990-06-30. live.
  36. Web site: Menace 1990 November Natural Life. Phatmedia. 23 November 1990. 11 May 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216101728/https://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/the-menace-presents-natural-life-1990. live.
  37. Web site: Project 679. Phatmedia. June 1990. 11 May 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216101941/https://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/project-679. live.
  38. Web site: Tom Tom Club 1989 2nd Birthday Party. Phatmedia. 24 March 1989. 14 April 2022. 16 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230216133223/https://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/tom-club-1989-2nd-birthday. live.
  39. Web site: Towering Inferno: Recording Kaddish. Peter Jones. SOS Publications Group. 1991. 13 April 2022.
  40. Web site: The Manic Street Preachers: 4 Real, 1991-1994 Review. Repeat Fanzine. 10 April 2022.
  41. Book: Complicated Shadows: The Life and Music of Elvis Costello. Graham Thomson. Canongate Books. 7 March 2013.
  42. Web site: History of the London Musician's Collective. Variant. 11 April 2022. 22 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222192036/https://www.variant.org.uk/8texts/Clive_Bell.html. live.
  43. Web site: Rafael Klein (1984). Rafael Klein. 11 April 2022.
  44. Web site: Tai-Shan Schierenberg Hon RP. The Royal Society of Portrait Painters 2016. 16 April 2022.
  45. Web site: Catherine Yass (1990). Art U.K.. 11 April 2022.
  46. Web site: Lucy Jones (1990). Studylib. 5. 11 April 2022.
  47. Web site: Phyllida Barlow. Tate. 11 April 2022.
  48. Web site: Rob Ryan (1992). Tag Fine Arts. 11 April 2022.
  49. Web site: Graeae Theatre Company Poster for the Production Sideshow. National Disability Arts Collection & Archive. February 2018. 14 April 2022.
  50. Web site: Early History of Graeae. Nabil Shaban. https://web.archive.org/web/20091026140922/http://uk.geocities.com/jinghiz53/The_Beginning_of_Graeae.htm. dead. 2009-10-26. 26 October 2009. 6 July 2006.
  51. Web site: Work No. 1 - Britain's First Hip Hop Film. Gaynor O'Flynn. October 1986. 13 April 2022.
  52. Web site: Clarity. Richard Layzell. Vimeo. 1985. 13 April 2022.
  53. Web site: Moonrise. Katherine Meynell. Katharine Meynell. 1989. 13 April 2022. 24 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230224175328/http://katharinemeynell.co.uk/videos/index.html. live.
  54. Web site: Cosi Fani Tutti Performances. Cosi Fanni Tutti. 10 May 2022. 24 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230224172346/https://www.coseyfannitutti.com/content/performances.html. live.
  55. Web site: Art In Danger. Edge of an Era/Live Art Development Agency. 14 April 2022. 24 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230224171835/https://www.edgeofanera.co.uk/art-in-danger-archive. live.
  56. Web site: New Variety performances January - February 1984. ITHAKA. 1984. 10 May 2022.
  57. Web site: New variety performances February - March 1984. ITHAKA. 1984. 10 May 2022.
  58. Web site: New Variety Friday nights September - November 1984. ITHAKA. 1984. 10 May 2022.
  59. Web site: New Variety performances February - March 1985. ITHAKA. 1985. 10 May 2022.
  60. Web site: Bill Douglas Cinema Museum Collection (Diorama). University of Exeter. 13 May 2022.
  61. Web site: Disability Arts Online 1976 -1989. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203249/https://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/chronology_disability_arts_1976_1989. dead. 2016-03-03. Dao (DisabilityArtsOnline) Ltd.. 26 February 2023.
  62. Web site: Disability Arts Online 1990 - 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/20130430231752/http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk:80/1990_1999. dead. 2013-04-30. Dao (DisabilityArtsOnline) Ltd.. 26 February 2023.
  63. Web site: Shape Arts 1990. Shape Arts. 27 May 2022. 24 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230224165236/https://www.shapearts.org.uk/FAQs/1990. live.
  64. Web site: The Mombasa Roadshow. Geoff Sample & Wildsong. 1989–1990. 14 April 2022. 22 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222193258/https://geoffsample.com/mombasa/mombasa.html. live.
  65. Web site: Income and Expenditure Statement For The Year Ended 30th September 1985. Crown copyright. 16 July 1986. 5 June 2022.
  66. Web site: Philadelphia Association archives. The Philadelphia Association. 15 July 2022.
  67. Web site: Performance Magazine May/June 1982. Performance Magazine/Live Art Development Agency. 34. May 1982. 24 June 2022.
  68. Web site: Collusion Magazine. rock's backpages. 1981. 24 June 2022. 22 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222192456/https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Publication/collusion. live.
  69. Web site: A film about Performance Magazine. Hugo Glendinning. Alex Eisenberg. Performance Magazine/Live Art Development Agency. 23 June 2022.
  70. Web site: Performance Magazine. Performance Magazine/Live Art Development Agency. 2017. 23 June 2022.
  71. Web site: Performance Magazine July/August 1986. Performance Magazine/Live Art Development Agency. July 1986. 23 June 2022.
  72. News: Top of The Slag Heap. Vanessa Harlow. The Observer Magazine. 44–47. 14 February 1988.
  73. Medicine and the Media. Margaret Cooter. British Medical Journal. 21 March 1992. 304. 6829. 785–786. 10.1136/bmj.304.6829.785. 220161688.
  74. Web site: The Neo Naturists. AnOther Publishing Ltd. 10 May 2022. 22 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222193607/https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/gallery/8138/the-neo-naturists/7. live.

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