The Most Beautiful Game and Other Stories – Craft, Art, and Play Bring Life to Folkestone’s Town Centre
In September 2024, Folkestone hosted a unique project and final exhibition by Croatian artist Željko Beljan as part of his residency within the Magic Carpets platform, organised by Folkestone Fringe and Lab852.
Folkestone Fringe has been working with Folkestone and Hythe District Council and the London-based consultancy The Means as part of an experimental programme called Folkestone About Town. Co-designed with locals, the programme aims to test various artistic strategies for animating the public realm. In this context, Beljan was commissioned to create an artwork that would bring people together to play in the streets of Folkestone’s town centre. Once a bustling retail hub, the area now feels lifeless – businesses continue to trade, but spend per head, footfall, and dwell time are all low.
Beljan, driven by his love of football, is a striking figure who wears a different football kit every day. His week-long research trip began with an exploration of the town, searching for neglected football goals in public spaces. From this, a plan emerged to create one of his signature football nets in the town’s main public park. The intention was to collaborate with young football players during his three-week residency in August and September.
Beljan was also invited to focus on Guildhall Street, one of Folkestone Fringe’s key areas for reimagining the future of the town. Spending time speaking with local businesses on the street, he formed a strong connection with the games shop. This, coupled with his interest in traditional tabletop games historically played in public houses across the UK – particularly in Kent – sparked the beginnings of a second idea.
Following his initial visit, Beljan returned for his three-week artistic residency in August with a new plan: to create a collection of colourful, hand-crafted wooden games inspired by the vibrant hues of Folkestone’s Creative Quarter. These games were designed to encourage participation and interaction in the street during the Folkestone About Town pilot event – a Sports and Music Day for young people.
As part of his process, Beljan collected discarded wood and worked publicly in the Urban Room, inviting conversations and interventions into his design process. He transformed the reclaimed materials into beautifully crafted and painted games, each with its own unique set of rules and strategies tailored specifically for the event. This open process allowed him to engage with diverse sections of the Folkestone community while offering the public a chance to observe the creation of these interactive artworks.
Beljan explains that his work delves into traditional handicraft techniques, a practice deeply rooted in his family history and upbringing. His artistic journey blends these traditional methods with contemporary art practices, balancing functional objects with artistic expression. Through improvisation and exploration, his process is as much about the journey of creation as it is about the final product.
Beljan draws inspiration from Johan Huizinga’s concept of Homo ludens (the playful human). The Most Beautiful Game and Other Stories invited visitors to explore the intersection of play, craft, and art. The unique games were later gifted to local cafés, bars, and games shops, enabling them to continue fostering social interaction and play in public spaces.
Beljan’s games highlight the fundamental human connection to play, promoting meaningful engagement and community interaction. Each game reflects his ongoing exploration of the relationship between handicraft and the amateur, hobbyist engagement in sports and games.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience The Most Beautiful Game and Other Stories first-hand and engage in a dialogue with the artist’s ongoing exploration of craft, art, and play. The event takes place on 6th September, between 3pm and 8pm on Guildhall Street in the town centre.
Curatorial text by Jacob Bray