| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Carolyn
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 2202
Location: Abertillery
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject: The Angel of the Valleys |
 |
|
| Quote: | AS Communities First begins to consult with the people of Blaenau Gwent and artists, a sculpture is taking shape that could stand out in the landscape.
As the 50th anniversary looms, the current modest memorial is not faring well under the elements.
Many of its markings and details have worn away, prompting Six Bells Communities First to seek out a large scale project - and with the current memorial not on the site of the colliery, locate it in a more appropriate place.
Working with authorities, community groups and councils, the organisation has turned to artist Sebastien Boyesen for inspiration.
The experienced artist has already worked with other boroughs on their own sculptures, most recently the 8m tall Chartist Man in Blackwood.
But his concept for the Six Bells Memorial would dwarf any previous sculpture, with a 12m tall steel figure on top of a 7.4m concrete plinth coated in local stone.
Speaking after the concept unveiling, Sebastien said this was an opportunity to “create something that will be there for generations.”
“I feel this is an unique opportunity to say something about an event which happened in 1960 but is still felt deeply today by the local community,” said Sebastien. “The fact is that the industrial revolution was fired by Welsh coal and ultimately the British Empire was built using Welsh coal, people have forgotten this and the incredibly high cost that coal had on the local communities.”
Although £100,000 is required to build the statue in time for its 2010 deadline, £25,000 has already been raised from the Heads of the Valleys Public Arts Strategy.
Mair Sheen, the Six Bells Communities First Coordinator, said the expense will not come at the cost of any other aspect of life in the community.
“The remaining funding is being sought as we speak, but all funding is for arts and could not be utilised for services,” she said.
The statue is hoped to become the centrepiece of the Ebbw Fach Trail - running from Llanhilleth to Brynmawr, it will link areas of countryside and heritage with walkways, cycle routes and bridle routes.
“This is a beautiful Valley with a rich history - this large scale project will provide access not only for local people but aims to encourage tourism and visitors to the Valley,” said Mair.
l A series of dates have been set up so people can view the plans and have their say:
Tuesday April 7, Six Bells Community Centre, 3pm to 7pm; Wednesday April 8, Home Bargains Nantyglo, 10am to 12pm; Wednesday April 8, Tesco Abertillery, 2pm to 4pm; and until April 7 at Blaina Communities First Office.
For more information contact Mair on 01495 320497
Next page: Gazette comment
|
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news...el-of-the-valleys-91466-23274186/
Looks more like a ballerina poised for a pirouette than a miner. Maybe Billy Elliot was the inspiration
_________________
My life is no rehearsal There'll be no curtain call encore, so I've thrown my screwed up script away to ad lib my life once more! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Dai 6
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 122
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:18 am Post subject: Re: The Angel of the Valleys |
|
|
| Carolyn wrote: |
Looks more like a ballerina poised for a pirouette than a miner. Maybe Billy Elliot was the inspiration |
I like it.
An accurate depiction on a miner would just be……another statue of a miner. At least this has a bit of feeling and artistry to it , and who knows with the Eisteddfod in the Capital of Blaenau Gwent next year, maybe it will encourage a few tourist to spend their pounds in this valley.
_________________
:
:
Never put down to malice anything that can be explained by sheer incompetence. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Carolyn
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 2202
Location: Abertillery
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I like the idea but not that miner too much like an angel that they put on grave stones for me and why copy the angel of the North. I prefere to celebrate their life and achievments. We don't neeed to be remeinded of their death some will never forget.
I think two would have been better one bigger than the other, father and son worked side by side in these mines and died together as did friends and family. Even something totally different like a giant miners lamp with a light at the top (like a lighthouse protecting teir memory) Mabe they could even fix it for you to climb to the top and have a splended view of the valley
_________________
My life is no rehearsal There'll be no curtain call encore, so I've thrown my screwed up script away to ad lib my life once more! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mrh35
Joined: 01 Mar 2007
Posts: 95
Location: Six Bells
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think its a bloody great idea.
I also think every former pit site should have some sort of memorial.
With regards to this one I was asked by Mair sheen(hope i spelt correct) my opinion of the statue whilst at the market week before last and i said that it looked more roman than a miner.
She did say they were seeking public opinion and may look to a little change in design i.e pick,lamp.
But whatever the outcome the whole project is for the benefit of the local area so tally ho lets get on with it and enjoy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Carolyn
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 2202
Location: Abertillery
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
I too think it is a great idea and would not bother me if we had to contribute via our council tax as long as it went to public consultation before becoming a done deal.
Nobody wants an "Emperors New Clothes" I don't live in Sixbells so won't have to open my curtains every day to see what I feel is a cemetery effigy it leaves me cold, however elegant it might be. Others may not agree with me and may like it, the few that I know have seen it do not but will they come forward and say so. I just feel that something more innovative may be nice for Sixbells.
I am certain there are people with some interesting ideas, the pit lamp is only one if there was a light or beam all year round it would annoy residents but if the beam was set for June 28th it would suffice as a memorial.
_________________
My life is no rehearsal There'll be no curtain call encore, so I've thrown my screwed up script away to ad lib my life once more! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
martyn142
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 1111
Location: six bells, abertillery
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
At the risk of seeming especially dim, where did you all see the planned statue? I think the idea itself is brilliant although I haven't seen the design.
_________________
The compliments pass when the quality meet.
martyn142 is a registered trademark. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jaybe
Joined: 22 Feb 2008
Posts: 54
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| martyn142 wrote: | | At the risk of seeming especially dim, where did you all see the planned statue? I think the idea itself is brilliant although I haven't seen the design. |
It's on the front page of the Gazette. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dave
Joined: 08 Mar 2009
Posts: 99
Location: West Midlands
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| If possible can someone post a link to the Gazette with the pic of the planned statue Thanks Dave |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Carolyn
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 2202
Location: Abertillery
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The Gwent Gazette link is posted above but does not include the photo online
Taken from the Gwent Gazette
You cannot see the detail from that photo which does make it look like a roman
_________________
My life is no rehearsal There'll be no curtain call encore, so I've thrown my screwed up script away to ad lib my life once more! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dave
Joined: 08 Mar 2009
Posts: 99
Location: West Midlands
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Carolyn Big Thankyou  Dave |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
martyn142
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 1111
Location: six bells, abertillery
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks all - I'd not seen the Gazette so hadn't seen the photo.
Hmmmm... I tend to agree with Carolyn. I think the idea is great and I am happy with it being a figure of a miner but the stance looks a bit strange to me. If it is meant to be angelic then it does indeed look more balletic as Carolyn suggested.
Nonetheless, over the last couple of years CF have been 'thinking outside the box' which after years of virtually no new ideas is a very welcome change.
_________________
The compliments pass when the quality meet.
martyn142 is a registered trademark. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ian
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 253
Location: Abertillery
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I must also agree with Carolyn and this picture makes it look worse.Afterall it's supposed to be a memorial to the mineworkers.I never worked down a pit myself,plenty of my family did though and I can't imagine them coming up after a shift looking like this.Would of caused a few raised eyebrows in the pit baths me thinks 
_________________
Politics,n.Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dave
Joined: 08 Mar 2009
Posts: 99
Location: West Midlands
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
This is the Memorial in Brownhills, is about 30ft tall on a busy island,
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jaybe
Joined: 22 Feb 2008
Posts: 54
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Anyone else think the Brownhills statue looks like Kryten from Red Dwarf? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ian
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 253
Location: Abertillery
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
Even if it does,it still looks a damn sight more like a miner than the one in the yoga pose that they're proposing for us
_________________
Politics,n.Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
