http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1467885_art-of-rebellion-monuments-will-celebrate-manchesters-radical-history

Martin Boyce is a worthy winner but it was great to see George Shaw getting recognition.  Glad to see that the Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry has also acknowledged George’s work with a show in his home town.

Sad to see the discussion between Goldie and Matthew Collings so rushed and curtailed.  Matthew’s analysis is very perceptive but I wanted to hear more from Goldie as his response is very direct and honest and would help many non arts spectators get to grips with their own reactions to the work.  Don’t think they needed a presenter, even if she is from the North East.

One of the projects that I have been involved as a member of the South Pennines LAG has been the Inspired by Landscape scheme, part of the Watershed Landscape project  jointly funded by HLF.  The second team of artists have now completed their work and here are some of the blogs they have been keeping.  Visit Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley to see the current exhibition.

Look out for Angie Rogers’ giant charcoal drawings and Sally Barker’s miniature landscapes.

http://catch-water.blogspot.com/ 

http://charmarch.weebly.com/chars-watershed-blog.html

http://blogs.sallybarker.org/watershed/

http://www.watershedlandscape.co.uk/inspire/meet-our-artists-and-writers/andrew-mcmillan/

Anthony has recorded a short interview for Arts Council and this is now available to view.

His description is very succinct but it does slightly suggest that making ‘Column’ happen is easy, which of course it isn’t really. Beauty and simplicity are both embedded in the idea, an enormous sculpture that is barely there at all. The complexity is in making it seem so simple and natural and that is where the physics and engineering kick in.  As we get closer to realisation our palms get a little sweatier.  All I have to now is turn up and chair the meetings but it still feels like a big responsibility.  Perhaps more so because little I do now will affect the outcome.  It’s all down to Anthony, John, Jonathan and Tanya.  Talked to John today and felt very sorry for him that the weather has turned so much colder.  He said the testing in the dock was freezing his b**t off.  Oh the pleasures of Art in a cold climate!

Last week brought good news.  Arts Council have confirmed extra resources to support the delivery and the publicity for the project.  The media blitz surrounding the announcement of the 2012 Cultural Festival has been interesting for how little it mentioned Column.  I have a feeling that if it is successful as we all hope and believe, it will be one of the most talked about projects of the whole programme.

Interesting to see what else comes up on youtube alongside ‘Column’.  I particularly enjoyed the ironic juxtaposition of the snap together ‘architectural’ columns.  

Last Thursday I had a meeting to discuss the scope for a new outdoor space dedicated to anti slavery in Manchester.  A team of us carried out a study around this and other issues a couple of years ago and now there is a real chance that this could happen.  Every day sees more evidence that modern slavery is alive and well and prospering near you and in every corner of the world.  So many generations have benefitted from slavery and we continue to gain from its proliferation.  Maybe a dedicated place, regularly programmed to highlight issues can raise awareness and be a place of reconciliation.  Many people are already sensitive, but kind of forget how far reaching it is… and others don’t even realise how people are being exploited.  Please comment if you have information or want to be part of future consultation.

Last night and this afternoon were spent with non profit orgs that I volunteer for.

OuttaPlace Board meeting last night talking about current projects, budgets and future strategy. Doing some really interesting work with eastern european young people who are clearly facing some serious challenges...

This afternoon was a meeting of the LAG for the South Pennines ( see Leader section of Pennine Prospects ) http://www.pennineprospects.co.uk/leader .... We have funded some outstanding community based projects over the last few years but the future looks very uncertain.  This kind of organisation seems to epitomise what the Govt wants with Big Society... so why not continue the funding programme...

Nice to see canal interpretation works going in, made by Hargreaves, the foundry that casts much of Gormley's work.  

They are casting some trees for me and I will be in the woods tomorrow morning at 7.30 looking at Silver Birches and picking one for the chop!

You will notice that the shed has a bell attached.  This allows anyone, including passers-by to raise the alarm at the sight of a piece of ill considered art or public realm design heading in our general direction.  The elevated position of the shed facilitates early warnings and an excellent overview.