Free entry to Scarborough Castle tomorrow
It's to coincide with the unveiling of a new sculpture.
Renowned artist Ryan Gander has created a new sculpture for Scarborough Castle.
This artwork has been created in the shape of a dolos — a structure usually used as a defence to prevent coastal erosion. The sculpture is purposely only partially formed and intended to be completed by snowfall.
The artist used a computer programme to predict and simulate snowfall onto the dolos.
By subtracting this volume of snow from the original shape, he created an artwork that would only be ‘finished’ when it snows. Due to the changes in weather conditions caused by global warming, poetically, this work may never be seen in its original ‘complete’ form.
Gander’s sculpture is cast in ultra-low carbon concrete which incorporates limestone formed from the shells and skeletons of prehistoric sea creatures. It highlights the sea’s vital role in minimising the effects of climate change by acting as a ‘carbon sink’, absorbing and ‘locking in’ harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Over the last 50 years, it's believed 90% of carbon–capturing plants and animals from the North Sea have been lost.
The thought behind it is the need to protect our seas and restore marine life for a healthier, more sustainable world.
The sculpture also functions as seating, so visitors to the castle can take a seat, enjoy the view and listen to a series of audio clips from different voices connected to the project (the artist, a marine biologist, and specialists from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and English Heritage) discussing the sculpture, climate change and local marine wildlife. It is hoped that this eye-catching sculpture will provide a waymarker to an incredible coastal view and a point of engagement for residents and visitors.
Ryan Gander is a world-renowned artist who has been awarded an OBE for services to culture and recently became a Royal Academician. Scarborough will join New York, Mexico City, Cambridge,
Liverpool and other international cities in hosting pieces of his thoughtful and engaging works in public spaces.
Wild Eye has worked closely with local people through Coast and Vale Community Action (CaVCA), offering a range of activities to communities. Because the new sculpture is sited within the castle grounds, for the next 10 years English Heritage is offering four days each year, the first of which is tomorrow, when local families from YO11 and YO12 postcodes will be able to visit the castle free of charge, to view the sculpture and learn about the messages behind it.
Wild Eye will also organise activities and guides to art and nature for local families to enjoy while viewing the sculpture. Scarborough-based artists Badgers of Bohemia will also be running Wild Eye art/nature workshops with a school and sixth form in the run-up to the launch.