Big Art seeks solutions through dialogue

Constructive discussion was the order of the day at a recent meeting held at Creative Mwldan in Cardigan to address a number of issues relating to the proposed design and location of the Cardigan Big Art project.

In attendance, alongside the chosen artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Cardigan’s Channel 4 Big Art curator Wiard Sterk were representatives of key stakeholder, regulatory and interest groups heavily involved in this ambitious project. These included the Afon Teifi Fairways Committee, Menter Aberteifi, Countryside Council for Wales, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Environment Agency, Chamber of Trade and the Otter Consultancy.

The meeting was an opportunity for all involved in the project to discuss concerns raised locally and to seek practical advice and guidance on how to make the proposed Prince Charles Quay location work in reality.

Wiard Sterk, curator of the Big Art Project, Cardigan, said. “The meeting was called in response to perceived problems with the proposed location of the finished art work. It is important that as many views as possible are heard, and in particular those people or groups with specific expertise and responsibilities relating to the river Teifi. These include those from stakeholders and members of the public who feel that the current proposed Prince Charles Quay location might prove problematic for passage along the river Teifi. It is our duty to allay these fears, find practical solutions and deliver a project of which Cardigan and Wales can be proud.

“The talks were extremely constructive and good progress was made. While the perfect solution may not yet have been arrived at, I am confident that with expert advice, the constructive support of all interested bodies and further public exploratory meetings we can make the original location work.

“The Channel 4 Big Art Project offers such great opportunities for the town. It is important therefore that Cardigan not only gets a truly great public art installation but one which finds itself in the right location, creating maximum impact for residents and visitors alike.

“A follow up public meeting will be held in Cardigan at the end of February, the date and location of which will be issued shortly. By this time, following the recent meeting, the draft design will have been further refined and I hope that as many people as possible – be they individuals or members of additional interest groups - will be encouraged to come along to hear what we have to say, state their own suggestions or concerns and work with us on mutually acceptable solutions to make this fantastic project work for Cardigan and its people.”

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer added, “The response from the people of Cardigan who have seen the project so far has been overwhelmingly positive and I look forward to the public meeting where I can meet more locals and consider and address any concerns they might have about the project.”

The Big Art Project in Cardigan is part of an ambitious UK wide public art commissioning scheme. It was set up by Channel 4, and is supported by Arts Council England and The Art Fund, the UK’s leading independent art charity. Channel 4 has commissioned Carbon Media/Princess Productions to produce a series of programme tracing project progress. This will be broadcast later this year. More information is available on the website: www.channel4.com/bigart

For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen or Lleucu Cooke at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075.

Artist selected by Cardigan community

Internationally-acclaimed multimedia artist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, has been selected by a Welsh community to develop a new public artwork for the Prince Charles Quay in Cardigan, as part of Channel 4’s Big Art Project.

Innovative Montreal-based Mexican-Canadian multimedia artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is best known for enormous hi-tech interactive works, using lights and shadows that take over public spaces, sometimes for weeks at a time.

The site’s nominator is Jim Evans, who is working with fellow steering group members Barbara Myers and Paul Oakley. Jim says he wants the new artwork to help put Cardigan more firmly on the tourist map, and to create a new, attractive and unique public space at the heart of Prince Charles Quay and the Teifi Estuary regeneration programme. The curator for this commission is Wiard Sterk, Executive Director of Public Art Wales.

Rafael recently visited the site and the Big Art community in Cardigan to share his initial ideas and to explore the site in detail. He will now begin work towards a detailed proposal for a new artwork for this small and vibrant West Wales town.

Channel 4’s Big Art Project is a major public art commissioning initiative. The Big Art Project opened in 2005 with a call for the public to nominate sites they felt would benefit from an art installation. Channel 4 received over 1400 nominations from which seven sites were selected across the UK, including Cardigan. The progress of the project is being filmed for a major TV series to be broadcast in 2008. It will offer a candid account of the successes and pitfalls on the journey towards achieving new public art works.

About Public Art Wales

Public Art Wales is a new agency formed through the merger of Cywaith Cymru – Artworks Wales with CBAT the Arts & Regeneration Agency. Together they form a unique organisation with a combined track record of 25 years. Based in Wales, PAW works throughout the UK and internationally, developing projects in which artists have a central role in shaping and reflecting our built and natural environments. With offices in Cardiff and North Wales it employs some 15 staff and receives generous funding from the Arts Council for Wales and Cardiff County Council. It has and extensive portfolio of projects, working in partnership with its public and private sector clients and communities. Current projects include a major Public Art Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys region, a £1.5million commission’s programme for the St David’s 2 retail development in central Cardiff and the development of a large commission for Derry city centre.

More information from www.lozano-hemmer.com and www.channel4.com/bigart Rhodri Ellis-Owen Cambrensis Communications 02920 257075

Channel 4’s Big Art-ist comes to Cardigan 

Following recent Channel 4 Big Art Project networking event at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, world-renowned artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is visiting Cardigan for the very first time today, Thursday 12th July to meet the people of the town and see the location of the proposed art work for himself.

 The artist will visit the site located alongside the River Teifi, which will allow him to plan, scope and cost his proposals and be the start of many a dialogue with members of Cardigan’s Big Art Project steering group.  

Cardigan was fortunate to be one of the sites selected, out of the 1500 communities which applied for Channel 4’s Big Art Project. As a result it will be participating in a televised ground-breaking documentary featuring the transformation of its Quay-side area into a stunning and imaginative public space. In turn, the project is now looking for corporate investors and sponsors to turn the dream into a reality.  

The Big Art Project is a unique initiative that combines the creation of a limited number of landmark new public artworks across the UK with direct community involvement, as part of a major Channel 4 TV series being filmed by Carbon Media.  

The aim, in addition to leaving a lasting legacy in terms of the artworks themselves, is to inspire local communities and act as a catalyst for a national debate about the impact of art on the lives of people in their communities. 

Wiard Sterk, Executive Director of Public Art Wales and curator of the Big Art project Cardigan said, ‘Following the successful event at the Senedd, we’re delighted to have Rafael Lozano-Hemmer visit Cardigan. Rafael is a highly respected artist with a fantastic international reputation and it is a great opportunity for him to get a real feel for the site and learn about the dreams and aspirations of the local people. We hope as many people as possible will find ways of getting involved in the Big Art Project.’
For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen or Lleucu Cooke at Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075 or rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com

Cardigan’s Big Art comes to the Senedd…
….to talk business

In advance of next month’s visit to Wales by world-renowned artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, as part of his preparations for the Big Art Project in Cardigan, Channel 4 is today, Wednesday, 27th June, hosting an information and networking event for Welsh businesses and organisations at 5pm at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

Cardigan was fortunate to be one of the sites selected, out of the 1500 communities which applied for Channel 4’s Big Art Project. As a result it will be participating in a televised ground-breaking documentary featuring the transformation of its Quay-side area into a stunning and imaginative public space. In turn, the project is now looking for corporate investors and sponsors to turn the dream into a reality.

The Senedd event is an opportunity for interested organisations to meet those responsible for developing and delivering the project, ask questions, and gather information about how they or their organisations can support, become involved and/or invest in the project.

The people of Cardigan chose the Montreal-based Mexican artist to deliver their artistic dreams following an interview by video-link. Rafael Lozano-Hemmer has yet to see the site located alongside the River Teifi and this visit will allow him to plan, scope and cost his proposals and be the start of many a dialogue with members of Cardigan’s Big Art Project steering group.

The Big Art Project is a unique initiative that combines the creation of a limited number of landmark new public artworks across the UK with direct community involvement, as part of a major Channel 4 TV series being filmed by Carbon Media.

The aim, in addition to leaving a lasting legacy in terms of the artworks themselves, is to inspire local communities and act as a catalyst for a national debate about the impact of art on the lives of people in their communities.

Jim Evans, Cardigan’s site nominator, said, ‘Big Art will tell the world that Cardigan’s on the map. With Rafael’s input, we want to create something here which is dramatic and which will catch people’s imagination. We’re quite prepared to be controversial and argumentative if necessary. We want to make a big statement.’

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, commented, ‘It’s a great honour to be working with the people of Wales, and Cardigan in particular, on this exciting project. I am looking forward to getting a real feel for the site and to learn about the dreams and aspirations of the local people. Art can play a significant role in an area’s regeneration and future prosperity. I am looking forward to working with the steering group to produce a work of art worthy of its locality, for the benefit of Cardigan and Wales as a whole.’

Wiard Sterk, Executive Director of Public Art Wales and curator of the Big Art project Cardigan said, ‘The courageous decision by the project’s steering group in Cardigan to formally invite Rafael Lozano-Hemmer to develop a proposal for the commission is an important step forward for the Big Art Project in the town.’

‘Rafael is a highly respected artist with a fantastic international reputation. His recent inclusion in major festivals and shows such as the Luminato festival in Toronto, the Art Basel, major new media show at the MOMA New York and his nomination to represent Mexico in Venice this year will help us greatly in securing publicity for the project nationally and internationally. His work will provide a contemporary, innovative and surprising approach to the work for Cardigan’.

The project is being delivered in partnership between the Big Art Trust and Public Art Wales, with support from the Québec Government Office in London, as well as with the active involvement of the Cardigan Steering Group.