COAST Digital is commissioned and produced by Future Physical (shinkansen/EastEngland Arts), firstsite and shinkansen for COAST, an Essex County Council initiative - Essex Visual & Media Arts with Commissions East, firstsite and FuturePhysical (shinkansen/East England Arts) in association with Rochford, Maldon andTendring Councils and with Clacton County High School, Colbayns High School and Bishops Park College.

Coast is an ambitious visual arts project initiated by Essex County Council in partnership with Commissions East, firstsite and Future Physical.

Starting in 2003 and continuing over three years, Coast will generate a series of newly commissioned artworks along the Essex coast in the districts of Maldon, Rochford and Tendring.

The aim of Coast is to raise the cultural profile of the coastal areas of Essex; develop a better understanding and appreciation of coastal landscapes; and promote tourism in Essex. The commissions will reflect coastal themes, which might include landscape and ecology, history, international links, tourism, recreation, communication or industry.

Coast has four main aspects:

Coast Commissions – Eight leading artists have been commissioned to create new artworks that explore, document and celebrate the often overlooked Essex coastline, promoting this unique coastal area. Over the next twelve months a series of temporary and permanent art interventions will be developed at positions along the coast between Harwich and Rochford.

Coast Digital – a major digital artwork by the internationally renowned Japanese digital artist Masaki Fujihata. Fujihata has developed Mersea Circle, an artwork that tracks people flow around the island using GPS devices (Global Positioning System) and video cameras. Just as the tides and weather shape Mersea Island’s identity, so too does the movement of residents and visitors. Fujihata, a group of Rangers (Essex based artists and filmmakers) and the public will travel Mersea Islands coastline on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August 2003. Click here for more information on how to participate.
The completed artwork will be presented on the web and exhibited at firstsite, Colchester from 29 November 2003 – 7 February 2004, and then tour.

Coast Schools – a series of artworks integrated into new buildings and grounds at three schools in Clacton – Bishops Park College, Clacton County High School and Colbayns High School.

Coast Promotion – website; exhibition at firstsite, Colchester; touring exhibition; publication; and promotional materials.