The announcement has been made today that internationally renowned Catalan artist Jaume Plensa (right) has accepted the commission to design the artwork at Sutton Manor as part of Channel 4’s Big Art Project. This is fantastic news as Jaime has an incredible CV. Born in Barcelona, Jaume has exhibited all over the world and completed major commissions in Canada, Israel, Japan, France, Germany and the USA. His most famous work is the Crown Fountain installation in Millennium Park, Chicago (see pic at bottom) which features two 50 feet glass towers which display twin images of 1,000 Chicago citizens one at a time. Water shoots out of the mouths of the images to create a 232-foot long pool in between!
Jaume’s public artworks in the UK include a laser beam light sculpture at the Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art in Gateshead (pictured left) which on special occasions shines a laser beam high into the night sky and a sculpted and illuminated glass dome for the BBC’s Broadcasting House in London. Jaume Plensa will develop concepts for the work of art at Sutton Manor over the Summer and finalise designs this Autumn. Construction will then begin once planning permission has been granted. When Jaume met the St.Helens Art Project Steering Group he told them that he felt that the body of the former colliery site at Sutton Manor was there and his intention was to bring back its soul. I can't wait to see what Jaume has planned for us!
See here for more on Jaume (click on his name) and here for samples of his work. Click on the Crown Fountain picture below for a montage of images.
Jaume Plensa's installation, Crown Fountain, in Millennium Park Chicago
Tags: Forestry Commission, Mersey Forest
