Metal

The Pavilions Project formed a major part of Liverpool's Capital of Culture 2008 Public Interventions Programme. The aim was to take over the city throughout 2008 and form a broad and inclusive programme of work that reflects Liverpool’s cultural life and its varied communities including the city centre’s surrounding neighbourhoods.

The Pavilions Project was supported by the Big Table; made up of Liverpool Biennial, Metal in Kensington, Rotunda College North Liverpool and Garston Cultural Village. In 2005, the Big Table Network was formed with the aim of creating, through collaborative programming, a presence in the city centre for the communities of the outer neighbourhoods, and a presence for the Biennial in the neighbourhoods beyond the city centre. A model for this proposal was provided by the city of Lille’s network of 12 Maisons Folie realised for its year as European Capital of Culture 2004. This involved the networking and re-branding of existing community centres and creation of additional centres.

Metal's project for Kensington was Juan Manuel Peláez and Luis Fernando Peláez's 'Nexus', a temporary outdoor 'pavilion' at Edge Hill Station in Liverpool. The structure was situated off Tunnel Road (L7) on the approach road to Platforms 3 and 4, until the end of 2008 and was free and accessible to the public.

The structure was designed by the artists based on an area of wooden Grade 11 listed* paving at the station, dating back to the early 1800’s. The individual 'peg' sections of the paving reminded the artists of moorings for ships and they liked the idea of referencing travel from the past whilst looking to the future.

The Pavilions was programmed by Metal and the residents and community around Edge Hill station.