The Fair Play project is a commission by Panel for the new shop developed as part of the renovation of Calton Hill Observatory by Collective as their new gallery and site.
The Storage Jars reflect imports and exports from Leith in the eighteenth century. Spices, vices, and other goods came in and out of the port. The ships kept time by the cannon on Calton Hill. The history of these trades, their supply and demand, evidence our changing styles and attitudes towards good taste and practice.
Coffee drinking, when originated in the Islamic world was directly related to religious practice. Then it was introduced to Europe, and the London coffee houses became places for religious and political debate.
The tobacco trade linked exports of consumer goods from Leith to the Americas, where the plant was grown. A stop off in West Africa to collect slaves established the so-called triangular trade route.
In eighteen twenty-three a revolution in the sugar plantations of Demerara played a significant part, along with other humanitarian, political and economic factors, to kickstart the abolition of slavery in Britain and its Empire.
Linen was a major Scottish export. Until eighteen twenty-three Edinburgh’s Linen Hall managed the sales and quality stamp on all grades of cloth. Among many purposes it was commonly used to clothe slaves.
Salt was a highly valued commodity. Sales peaked when the Act of Union enabled free trade to England. Fortunes reversed with the repeal of salt duty, when continental salt flooded the market.
At the turn of the twentieth century tens of thousands of herring boats fished in Scottish waters. This overfishing saw the industry’s collapse and subsequent ban, recently overturned. After many years of tight controls Silver Darlings are only just returning.
The Fair Play jar takes its form and design from the various buildings of the site, not least Playfairs’ Monument. The functional object alludes to the site’s invisible history and the part it played in imports and exports, weights and measures, guildhalls and trade unions, and our gradual move towards good practice - Fair play.
The jars are produced in a series of six: Coffee, Tobacco, Demerara, Linen, Salt, & Silver Darlings.
Designed in Scotland by Katy West for Collective Matter x Panel 2018. Made in Stoke-on-Trent.
