Comments:


Dear Espen, Bob & Rob,

That's really sad news. A great loss to Hull.

Hull Art Lab was the best (and most intense) experience i've yet had as an artist, and i'm very grateful for that and for all the hard work and commitment that you have poured into HAL to enable artists like myself to make difficult work with the huge amount of support and generosity of spirit that is necessary during those times.

I understand a little bit about how much work it can be trying to set up - and maintain - an endeavor as ambitious and as worthwhile as yours. I also know that it is extremely demanding, exhausting, and frustrating, - though it can be equally as rewarding.

I hope that it hasn't taken too much of a toll on your life and thatÊyou all continue to put the energyÊ that you put in to HAL to good use in your own work.

With best wishes, thanks, and good memories..!

Miles

Miles Thurlow


hello you all big bad news, but sadly not surprising given all the fuckery in this country ,and increasingly just about everywhere else. we're being whittled back, and unless you produce big bucks like the commercial art world, or sit comfortably in the palace of high culture like opera does, the u.k culture machinery has little for you. lollipops like the olympics are far more important

I really enjoyed the concert-times in the lab. they were tough and welcoming, but one got the sense of seeds being planted . a country with more vision would , of course, allow them to grow.

ROGER TURNER

many thanks.

onwards and upwards!!!!

very best, roger


Dear Rob, Espen & Bob,

I am very sorry to hear that you have not received the financial support necessary to sustain the HAL project.

I would like to thank you for your participation in arc's Architecture Week 05 project 'Small Structures' and to personally express my disappointment and dismay in learning that we will not have the opportunity to work with HAL in the future.

Your Small Structures work was challenging, dynamic and professional - and brought a significant contribution to the critical debate of the relationship across the practices of art and architecture for the region. I feel that your work has helped us in securing interest for the continuation of of the Small Structures project, which we aim to develop into a more substantial programme in the future.

We have appreciated your support in such activities as the 'Cultural & Creative Industries Seminar'. It is discouraging that we will not have HAL as a potential partner in the future. I hope that there will be ways in which we can work together despite this.

In good faith, Gillian Dyson - Learning Officer, arc.


Espen, Bob and Rob,

I am so sorry to hear this news. I really enjoyed working with you and thought you had an excellent programme and organisation. I suppose the only thing to say is that if this means you'll have more time to focus on your own practice then maybe it's for the best.

Wishing you luck with whatever you do, and once again, thank you.

Love, Xx Aura
Aura Satz


Dear Rob, Bob and Espen,

I'm very sorry to read about HAL having to close. I feel disgusted that yet again Hull CC & ACE Yorkshire have murdered another organisation which threatens conventional thinking in the city. HAL, (and HTBA of old), has given oddballs like myself a sense of hope and reassurance that made it ok to express ourselves within an environment where unconventionality was not only embraced but stoutly encouraged. Gradually those warm fuzzy feelings which come from being part of such a community are being leeched out of the city, straight out the councils back gates. Not only endangering the future of anyone who dares to be creative, but draining Hull of any genuine cultural spunk which makes any city great. As you can imagine it comes as no great surprise to me that Hull has not got a cultural strategy. I hope that all of you still continue to create platforms for artists (both aspiring and prominent) in Hull, as it needs them, probably I imagine more so than ever. And from the bottom of my heart I would like to thank you all for being (in your own ways) an inspiration....

Ta
Dandan

Daniel Liddington
Artist


HI Bob, Espen and Rob

I'm so sorry to hear about the closure of HAL, I've always been a big fan of the work and the organisation and it's very sad to see it go. I know how much hard work you have all put in over the years and that this decision must be really distressing for you all.

I too am concerned about the arts infrastructure in Hull - you'll be aware that this also has a direct impact on our work here. Now, more than ever, I feel it is important that all of us with a passion for developing the arts in the city need to work together to find solutions to these problems.

Thank you all for bringing us such exciting events, happenings, exhibitions etc over the lifespan of HAL - I'm very sad that itÕs at an end.

All the best

Elaine Burke

Arts and Health Manager
Health Improvement Team


Dear Hal

rafael and i were really sorry with the news. it is always too sad to know that an art space with a prolific programming and motivated people is closing...

hoping to work with you in the future and wishing all the best for the projects of you all,

Angela

Angela Detanico & Rafeal Lain


Dear HAL

It was sad to hear that you are forced to cease operating.

Our 'badland' gig at the venue was memorable.I have a record of it on CD and video thanks to you and also a CD of professional quality photographs.

What made the event unique was firstly the way in which we were regarded with such friendliness (and professionalism) by Espen, Bob and Rob. Secondly the space is fantastic. It invites the celebration of it's size. Individually and as a trio we were able to respond to it's special acoustic.

My hope is that the true value of the work you have done will be acknowledged and that you may consider continuing with HullArtLab. There is a shortage of venues of anything like this ilk in this country. We actually need it.

Yours sincerely

Simon Rose


Hello all!

I'd like to say how outraged and sad I was to hear that Hull Art Lab is closing down. It's a massive blow for the arts in Hull and I know it's going to be sorely missed. To all the guys at Art Lab, if anyone can give me a contact address of someone in the council who I can write to expressing my views on this matter, that'd be great - I can pass it on to the countless people I know who are also positively p*****d off at the decision to pull funding. Also, let me know if there's anything else I canÊdo!

Bye for now,

Helen G

Helen Gardner


Dear Rob, Bob and Espen,

Having recieved your satatement dated 14th of November, all I can say is that I am simply shocked.

Although my visits to Hull have been few since leaving in 2004 I have kept myself aware of the events and progress of Hull Art Lab. The fact of your existence was an important part of my understanding of a way in which artists could relate to an organisation.

Thank you for your work, and for enabling the work of others.

John O'Shea


Dear All

I am very very sorry to hear that you have had to close your doors!! This is really a terrible outcome of what is by all accounts a terrific creative production centre. Is there no way it can stay afloat, even as a 'virtual' (ie 'move-able feast'?) When I ran a theatre company several years ago, we were dead broke, but started to float via different venues (mainly sex venues of ill-repute, it has to be said). Eventually and by sheer will and community support, we managed to stay afloat, and then miraculously got a huge gov't grant that allowed the company to find a 'home'.

I really hope you can find some way out of the morass -- you are a great group of talented people.

Very kind regards

Johnny

Professor J Golding


dear rob, bob and espen... how sad, i'm really sorry to hear this, you have written a powerful statement explaining the situation. good luck with your own endevours, it is a real loss for the city and it's creatives and inhabitants.

take care all, karen x x x


Dear Espen, Bob and Rob,

Thans for your email. It's a sad news that you will close HAL. Wang Chuyu and I had a really good time there. I think the City Council should fund contemporary art more in Hull.

Best,

Shu Yang


oh

i am sorry to hear this

karen finley


I would firstly like to say how sorry I am to hear of your plight, as ex- Hull myself and my partner were always keen on hearing what you were up to, and are sad we never got to come up and see you in action.

Both my partner and I are involved in a project based within our home, and we are researching into setting up an independent arts space/venue in Plymouth. One.c (www.onec.tv) is our current project.

I think Plymouth and Hull are so very alike, architecturally, geographically - both cities are on the edge and kind of on a limb, both are government dispersal cities for immigration, both have ferries, and both have a sainsburys on the lefthand side as you drive in on the respective dual carriageways (the latter point is pete's favourite likeness between both cities!). Also both have a few long standing arts spaces but nothing independent, and both have a feeling of a great potential that is not realised.

Thanks for the excitement you caused us about home, when we are so far away

Yours

Kath wynne + pete davies


shit ! that's a pity !

all the best

Jerome

Metamkine


Hello Espen, Bob and Rob,

I am really sad to read this announcement. Although I haven't been up to Hull in a long time and so never made it to HAL I was always excited to know what was going on and was planning to visit early in the new year. It is such a great list of acheivements and a really exciting programme for 2007/8 I can't believe there is no more support from the council - that really really sucks.

There is a lot of good energy, learnings, and inspirations from HAL and regardless of it physically being no more, I believe all these things keep on spreading. HAL will be around for a long time yet.

Good luck with all your own projects and please keep me intouch with any further developments/projects/happenings!

Till the next time,

Sarah


Dear Espen, Bob & Rob

What terrible news. Since coming up to Hull for the Incandescent Symposium last month I have been singing the praises of HAL. It is tragic that such efforts to build a vibrant and international art centre in a city like Hull are not supported. Just a glance at the proposed programme of events for the coming year is an indication of what the people of Hull are going to miss. ThereÕs not much hope for any serious re-generation in Hull without a cultural strategy that can sustain and develop organisations like Hull Arts Lab.

All the best for the future

James

James Swinson


Dear, Rob, Bob, Espen,

Working with you at HAL was a pleasure. To discover that mine was the last contribution to HALÕs program was truly disappointing. I know you are already exploring ways to put the energy and creativity, commitment to quality, and the clear thinking that you exercised at HAL into new projects.

All The Best,

Matthew

And good luck for the future!


dear Espen, Bob & Rob

i'm angry n i'm shocked

the shock doesn't last long - too familiar is this situation of idiots sitting in those institutions that give money.

the anger stays and is healthy -

who we are and what we do has nothing to do with those bureaucrats and politicians

- they have no idea of what art is about

- they are driven by the demon of self imposed accountabiltiy

and worse of all (and related to the above)

- they have no vision.

what you experience is uttermost sad.

your work has been (and will continue on another level and in other contexts) most important for Hull, the region and i would even say for the country by providing an opportunity for artist and the arts and by promoting art in a region that has experienced many massive blows to contemporary art in the last 8 years.

i have great respect for your decision to close HAL, although the loss will be terribly felt by many.

but in doing so you put artists integrity before the ever so common willingness of artists to exploit themselves for the sake of their work and for the benefit of others. politicians, the art establishment and the art funding bodies in this country (and in others) should not rely on our willingness to provide art, the infrastructure for art and the pleasure for the community to experience art without their support and shitlots of money.

all my best wishes for your future

i have no doubt that you will keep going

helmut lemke

sound artist

AHRC fellow University of Salford


Rob, Espen and Bob,

I was extremely sorry to hear about the closure of Hull Art Lab. Although I only came to know the venue and yourselves within the last couple of months, I feel the city has lost an important part of its cultural life.

Will Ramsey

Hull Daily Mail


Dear Rob

Very sorry to hear of the closure of Hull Art Lab. John Wynne just informed me of this. Having been through a couple of major closures in my lifetime I can understand how this must feel. Although difficult at the time, the energies I had left over pushed me into new directions which I would have otherwise overlooked. So keep on going! Good luck, and stop by sometime!

bests

David Leister


honestly ? well, I didn't like verything that appeared at Hull Art Lab (i'd be worried if I did !) but I liked the fact that it was there. HAL provided me with a few different opportunities & that was good too. You also stepped in to help with the visit by two Chinese artists i'd arranged & that was very much appreciated.

It's very hard to see so many cultural things struggling or closing - the last few years have seen a few & the effects are visable now - becoming more so. The decision that was made, no doubt was made on several points & some might be 'valid' to certain people's way of thinking but it leaves the City with a smaller range of creative outlets - god knows there weren't that many before this.

It's a shame & I wish all of you well - don't leave the sinking ship of Hull - at least stick around to stick contact mics on it as it sinks below the surface of cultural life in the North ! ;)

Jez Riley