Making the Big Art 'Dream' a Reality
(For a taster of Mel's photographs, click on any image below - then point at the full-size picture that appears to reveal the 'Next' / 'Previous' buttons)
A model of the artwork known as ‘Dream' (pictured above), that will be sited at the top of the old Sutton Manor spoil heap, was unveiled at the World of Glass in St.Helens last Wednesday. Since then there’s been a fair bit of local hostility towards the concept (e.g. postings here). Much of the criticism has, I think, been through misunderstandings of the design and its funding. There's been little appreciation of the hard work that Mel, Gary Conley and the others have put in over the last three years.
The former mineworkers in the St.Helens Big Art Project Focus Group pictured outside the old Sutton Manor Colliery gates in 2007.
The criticism has been wide-ranging. Many don’t like the design as it doesn’t directly relate to mining and others simply claim that the money could be much better spent elsewhere, even on the new Saints stadium (!). Although St.Helens Council (and Liverpool Biennial) have been providing considerable support, none of the money is sourced from council tax coffers. It’s been hard-won from a wide range of sources including the Arts Council, Forestry Commission, North West Coalfield Communities Regeneration Programme etc.
The focus group are not downhearted by the criticism. In fact Mel said that they were expecting it! The group had visited Gateshead where Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North was unveiled in 1998 and were regularly told by locals how they’d initially hated the structure but have grown to love it. All art, of course, is subjective and public art is invariably controversial.
I’m pleased to hear that the team have thought through concerns over vandalism and it won’t be that easy for the mindless ones in Sutton Manor to damage ‘Dream’. The plan is to cast it from concrete with a white, almost luminous, finish and a special anti-vandal coating. The structure, which will depict an elongated face of a nine-year old girl, will be sunk deep underground so there'll be no danger of it collapsing during strong winds. Lights will be positioned around the circular plinth to give the face a somewhat ghostly appearance at night. A spotlight situated in the top of the head will at certain times of the year shine a powerful beam skywards.
Mel told me that the 20 metre high structure that's set to tower over the M62 will be made from 26 blocks and each will take a week to construct. Tenders are currently being taken from manufacturers but work can’t begin until the all-important planning permission has been obtained. It will be touch and go whether the artwork can be made and installed in time for the Channel 4 TV series, although the team have planned for this possibility and do have a contingency in mind. Mel confirmed that the first of the four-part prime-time series, which was originally scheduled for transmission this month, will now be broadcast on Sunday November 23th, 2008 and then on the three following Sundays.
I expect that when the doubters and cynics have watched the series and the 'Dream' becomes a Sutton Manor reality, they will develop a greater understanding of the ethos and thinking behind the art project. I personally can’t wait! SW
