In Popular Culture
The iconic and intimidating appearance of the towers has always made them a favourite of photographers and film makers, and have been the subject of various literary works. As well as making numerous appearances in the STV police drama Taggart, the estate was featured in the 2006 film, Red Road, which won a BAFTA and the Prix de Jury (third prize) at the Cannes film festival. The landlords and their publicists, together with players in the commercial property business, as well as the council, describe the flats (and therefore those who want to keep their homes) as being of the past, and (lucrative) 'development' as being of the future. Cultural figures celebrate the use of an atmospheric cinematic location.
In July 2007, the French high wire artist Didier Pasquette, a protege of Philippe Petit (famous for his high wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York), undertook a high wire stunt between two of the Red Road towers, attempting to cross the 150 ft gap between Towers 3 and 4. Although thwarted by Glasgow's temperamental weather he managed to walk 30 feet across the chasm, backwards on one occasion.
From 19 February to 27 June 2010, the Red Road flats featured in the "Multi-Story" exhibition at Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Multi-story is a collaborative arts project based in the Red Road, established in 2004 by Street Level Photoworks in partnership with The Scottish Refugee Council and the YMCA.
On 14 March 2010 "The Sunday Times" in Scotland featured the recollections of Glasgow born film-maker, Matt Quinn, who grew up in the flats. Clydeside TV have now commissioned a film with the working title of "Skyscraper We'ans" that intends to pay tribute to the positive aspects of growing up in the Red Road. This film is to date entirely self-financed without any kind of sponsorship or external commission. Glasgow Life, a part of the city authorities, have an ongoing project to document the Red Road experience this features specially commissioned photography, film and even a novel to celebrate life in 'the scheme'. On 15 March 2010 this was updated to include volume 1 of "Your Stories" which features the recollections of the area by various local people.
More recently, as demolition work on the estate gathers pace, local author Alison Irvine published the novel This Road Is Red (2012); a collection of stories and anecdotes from real-life residents over the 50-year history of the estate.
Read more about this topic: Red Road (flats)
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