Dream Sculpture Sutton Manor St Helens: April 2009

Sunday 26 April 2009

Can I see the sculpture as I approach?

The sculpture ("hello it's me Anna,I am not asleep i am dreaming of course"!)reveals itself from many approaches but in the tradition of great landscape design like those of Capability Brown you get glimpses from afar but it becomes hidden as you approach nearer.So there is a sense of 'delight' and 'progressive realisation' as you come closer.

The sculpture can be seen clearly east on the M62 from just west of Warrington Junction 8 and from the west at Junction 7 for St Helens.Glimpses from as far as Winwick west of Junction 9 ,Billinge Hill to the north and the hills behind Frodsham to the south!

The Artist Speaks....

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/videos-pictures/videos/videos-news/2008/05/08/dream-sculpture-for-m62-100252-20885226/

Jaume talks about the sculpture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIABxikcKSE&feature=related

the first stone is laid
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/videos-pictures/videos/videos-news/2009/04/08/first-pieces-of-1-9m-dream-art-work-arrive-in-st-helens-92534-23180377/

topping out ceremony
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/videos-pictures/videos/videos-news/2009/04/22/st-helens-dream-sculpture-unveiled-92534-23446077/
In conversation with Richard Cork at the Shinning Light Centre
Juame (pronounced Jow may) spoke about the ideas for the project,his passion for the face as our face to the world.The hope that a young face brings for the future and the face model 'Anna' who forms the neutral girl from anywhere in the world face.Why the sculpture faces to the sun to get the maximaum illumination and how the sculpture will require little and inexpensive cleaning over it's 120 yr life expectancy.Like a miner emerging from the pit to face the sight of the world - "When light becomes a dream!"

What do visitors think!

On Saturday I took a hike up to the top to talk to visitors.In 5 minutes I came across 15 people.More than the average for Sutton Manor.

Residents,dog walkers,sight see-ers and tourists have been coming to see the sculpture from around and about.There even been a freelance photographer from a Shropshire Newspaper
today.

"It's the best thing thats happened around here for ages" Sutton resident and Sutton Manor dogwalkers

"I'm St Helens born and bred.....it's pretty amazing" former Clock Face resident now St Helens

"I've come from Hamburg to see this and it's very impressive" Former St Helens resident and ex miner from the colliery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cruithneacht/3617142369/in/photostream/

more comments on this great blog: http://needled.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/ex-terra-lucem/#comment-7122

Wednesday 22 April 2009

So what is the sculpture made of?

plastic, stone, white chocolate, glue?
no...
http://www.cnplus.co.uk/regional-news/north-west/evans-concrete-casts-dream-sculpture/1995296.article

"there ain't a problem that i can't fix when i got it in the mix"

Ever wondered what those small grey flecks are: well they're not fossils :they are a fibre glass type material that helps bond and strengthen the mix of limestone and concrete.

Weighing in at 373 tonnes it's some Buddha. 8 piles were driven 38 m into the colliery spoil and the plinth is 17m wide.

Read more by clicking onto the photos to enlarge! them....

Press Coverage

Green places magazine Issue 56 June 2009
"Head Turning sculpture shapes horizon of the Northwest"

Local person says sculpture is 'Bonkers'
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/2m-Dream-Sculpture-In-St-Helens-Is-Bonkers-Say-North-West-Locals/Article/200903415249460

Dizzy Rascal says 'Bonkers'

under construction (pictures)
http://www.culture24.org.uk/art/live+art/public+art/art66988

sculpture complete..well almost!!
http://www.teletext.co.uk/regionalnews/north-west/8e61cdcfbf4c785ce88e960822625550/Dream+sculpture+now+complete.aspx
and pictures
http://www.clickliverpool.com/pictures/galleries/123993-spectacular-dream-sculpture-made-reality-in-merseyside.html#4
daily mail readers
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1172147/Huge-folly-amazing-work-art-Giant-60ft-head-costing-taxpayers-2m-nears-completion.html
BBC report
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8011173.stm
mirror readers speak out
http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/the-ticket/2009/04/art-st-helens-dream-sculpture.html
...as Jaume said men are not that important!

Tuesday 21 April 2009

Meet the Artist

The artist Juame Plensa in conversation at a location on Forest Rd near the Dream sculpture in Sutton
More details here;
http://www.visitsthelens.com/site/whats-on/dream-an-icon-for-st-helens-11th-may-p231471

How do I find the Dream sculpture?

"very nice thanks".... grid ref: SJ 521 906 nearest postcode:WA9 4BA

See the map tool http://www.bigartmob.com/bigartmap/5221
click between map and satelite view.Its in the very middle of the greened area west of the central path and east of Jubits Lane.

It's on top of Sutton Manor (former colliery) now a woodland besides the M62 near Sutton.Good pedestrian access is via the enterance opposite the end of Forest Rd at the Jubits Lane mini roundabout.Park on Forest Rd or at the Smithy Arms pub (free) and enter via the side of the colliery's former metal gates.Follow paths on the flat round to the left (north) then right (east)till you meet a path (heading south) and up the middle of the central mound.You will see the sculpture on top of the hill.(its to the left of the diamond shaped path arrangement on the satelite view) About 500m from the enterance.It's really worth the trip!
Local map here!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=union+bank++lane,st+helens&sll=53.407946,-2.721133&sspn=0.010438,0.02811&ie=UTF8&ll=53.407895,-2.722249&spn=0.010438,0.02811&t=h&z=15&iwloc=A
routefinder here:
http://www.dedicateatree.org/acatalog/SuttonManor_Finder.html

Don't forget to visit the local shops,chippies on and off Forest Rd, along Jubits Lane, or the Smithy Arms.Shops also in the precinct off Chester Lane and Four Acres Lane and Gartons Lane further north .....there's a pie shop too!!

will i get lost? not usually all the routes are pretty much around the hill and come back to your start point.The easiest gradient starts from the side of the Smithy Manor pub but disabled people may wish to access the site through the gate opposite King George V Playing Fields and note that gradients require either motorised vehicles or ablebodied assistance and that sufficient brakes or braking mechanisms to prevent accidents as some slopes are moderately steep and should be approached with caution.