A CONTROVERSIAL sculpture in Dún Laoghaire that was removed to accommodate upgrade work in the south Dublin harbour town may never return if some local councillors have their way.
The Gateway sculpture, by Wexford artist Michael Warren, was removed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and put into storage to facilitate a new walkways scheme for the “metals” area, close to Dún Laoghaire Dart station.
The 20ft-tall, eight-tonne, Corten steel sculpture was installed in 2003 at the Pavilion Plaza, close to the Victoria Fountain and the county hall.
It was the subject of much debate in 2005 in the council chamber – and also in the letters page of The Irish Times – when councillors attempted to have it removed.
A motion to relocate the structure was shelved after Warren, an Aosdána member, visited the council chamber and explained the meaning behind the piece. But complaints about the art work rumbled on.
Provision has been made for the sculpture within the new walkway scheme, due to be completed next January, the council said, but its ultimate location will be a decision for the councillors.
Fine Gael councillor Mary Mitchell-O’Connor said there would be few tears shed for the loss of the sculpture.
“Given its prominence within a key public realm in Dún Laoghaire, the choice of Corten steel for the sculpture was a curious one, creating a sense of decay and contrasting sharply with the town’s rich Venetian architecture.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label planning and art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning and art. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Capital's colossus stalled by recession
PLANS to erect a 46-metre sculpture of a human figure on the River Liffey have been shelved.
Despite An Bord Pleanala yesterday approving a proposal from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) to build the steel sculpture at City Quay, the €1.6m project has been delayed because of the recession.
The sculpture, by Turner prize-winning artist Antony Gormley -- who is best-known for his 'Angel of the North' work in the north of England -- was set to be in place by 2010 close to the Sean O'Casey bridge.
Yesterday, the DDDA said in a statement that the project was being "postponed temporarily", and would be kept "under review, adding that it was "very pleased" with the granting of planning permission.
"The sculpture is an important element of the Docklands Arts Strategy as outlined in its recently adopted 2008 master plan aimed at ensuring that arts and culture become part of the Docklands identity to enhance the area as a place in which to live, work, relax and be entertained," it said.
"However, given the current economic environment, the Docklands Authority will not be proceeding with this development. The project will be kept under review and the Docklands Authority will continue working with the artist and others to progress the design."
The project, which attracted the ire of local residents who claimed it would overshadow their homes, was granted a 10-year planning permission, which means it could still go ahead in the next decade.
Objectors claimed the massive work, which will be 10 metres shorter than Liberty Hall and the same height as the Statue of Liberty, would dominate views of Dublin Bay from the city centre and relegate existing buildings to 'bit players'.
In its decision, An Bord Pleanala granted permission but said a review of the project's impact on the River Liffey -- in particular salmon numbers -- would have to take place before 2019. If it was found to have a negative impact, it would have to be removed.
Such conditions are standard, particularly in relation to quarries and mobile phone masts.
The DDDA said: "Projects such as the London Eye, and indeed the Eiffel Tower, were originally granted temporary planning permission. We see the time limit as being an important part of the public debate and consultation."
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Despite An Bord Pleanala yesterday approving a proposal from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) to build the steel sculpture at City Quay, the €1.6m project has been delayed because of the recession.
The sculpture, by Turner prize-winning artist Antony Gormley -- who is best-known for his 'Angel of the North' work in the north of England -- was set to be in place by 2010 close to the Sean O'Casey bridge.
Yesterday, the DDDA said in a statement that the project was being "postponed temporarily", and would be kept "under review, adding that it was "very pleased" with the granting of planning permission.
"The sculpture is an important element of the Docklands Arts Strategy as outlined in its recently adopted 2008 master plan aimed at ensuring that arts and culture become part of the Docklands identity to enhance the area as a place in which to live, work, relax and be entertained," it said.
"However, given the current economic environment, the Docklands Authority will not be proceeding with this development. The project will be kept under review and the Docklands Authority will continue working with the artist and others to progress the design."
The project, which attracted the ire of local residents who claimed it would overshadow their homes, was granted a 10-year planning permission, which means it could still go ahead in the next decade.
Objectors claimed the massive work, which will be 10 metres shorter than Liberty Hall and the same height as the Statue of Liberty, would dominate views of Dublin Bay from the city centre and relegate existing buildings to 'bit players'.
In its decision, An Bord Pleanala granted permission but said a review of the project's impact on the River Liffey -- in particular salmon numbers -- would have to take place before 2019. If it was found to have a negative impact, it would have to be removed.
Such conditions are standard, particularly in relation to quarries and mobile phone masts.
The DDDA said: "Projects such as the London Eye, and indeed the Eiffel Tower, were originally granted temporary planning permission. We see the time limit as being an important part of the public debate and consultation."
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Figurative sculpture planned for Liffey scrapped
THE DUBLIN Docklands Authority has said it will not be going ahead with the 46m (150ft) steel sculpture of a human figure in the river Liffey because of the cost of the project.
The authority had estimated last year that the sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley would cost up to €1.6 million to build.
An Bord Pleanála granted permission this week for the sculpture, which would have been almost the same height as the Statue of Liberty.
The authority said yesterday it was “very pleased” to have got planning permission for the sculpture, which was an important element of its arts strategy, but would not be erecting it.
“The sculpture is an important element of the Docklands Arts Strategy as outlined in its recently adopted 2008 master plan aimed at ensuring that arts and culture become part of the Docklands identity,” a spokeswoman said.
“However, given the current economic environment, the Docklands Authority will not be proceeding with this development.” The project would be kept under review, she said.
The steel-lattice figure was to have been erected in the water at City Quay, 30m (100ft) to the east of Seán O’Casey Bridge and 12m (40ft) from the quay wall.
At exactly 46.2m (151.57ft) above the water, based on the river’s mid-low spring tide level, the sculpture would have been just 30cm (11.8 inches) shorter than the Statue of Liberty from her foot to the top of her torch.
Gormley is most famous for his Angel of the North in Gateshead, England.
An Bord Pleanála had granted permission for the Liffey sculpture to stand for 10 years, after which it would either be dismantled or new planning permission obtained.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The authority had estimated last year that the sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley would cost up to €1.6 million to build.
An Bord Pleanála granted permission this week for the sculpture, which would have been almost the same height as the Statue of Liberty.
The authority said yesterday it was “very pleased” to have got planning permission for the sculpture, which was an important element of its arts strategy, but would not be erecting it.
“The sculpture is an important element of the Docklands Arts Strategy as outlined in its recently adopted 2008 master plan aimed at ensuring that arts and culture become part of the Docklands identity,” a spokeswoman said.
“However, given the current economic environment, the Docklands Authority will not be proceeding with this development.” The project would be kept under review, she said.
The steel-lattice figure was to have been erected in the water at City Quay, 30m (100ft) to the east of Seán O’Casey Bridge and 12m (40ft) from the quay wall.
At exactly 46.2m (151.57ft) above the water, based on the river’s mid-low spring tide level, the sculpture would have been just 30cm (11.8 inches) shorter than the Statue of Liberty from her foot to the top of her torch.
Gormley is most famous for his Angel of the North in Gateshead, England.
An Bord Pleanála had granted permission for the Liffey sculpture to stand for 10 years, after which it would either be dismantled or new planning permission obtained.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Giant statue approved for Liffey quay
PLANS to erect a 46-metre tall sculpture of a human figure on the River Liffey have been given the green light.
Dublin City Council has granted planning permission to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to build a black steel lattice sculpture of a human at City Quay by Turner prize-winning artist Anthony Gormley, best-known for his 'Angel of the North' sculpture in the north of England.
Construction work will begin early next year at City Quay, and is expected to cost €1.6m.
Objectors claimed the massive work, which will be just 10 metres shorter than Liberty Hall and the same height as the Statue of Liberty, will dominate views of Dublin Bay from the city centre and relegate existing buildings to 'bit players'.
A petition from local residents also claimed it would over-shadow their homes, with 'adverse disturbance' to the footpath near their homes.
But the city council granted a 10-year planning permission, subject to six conditions.
Among them are a requirement that the DDDA submit full details on the cleaning arrangements for the sculpture, amid fears that it could become home to hundreds of birds. The authority will also have to outline the implications on the surrounding area.
It will also be required to lodge a deposit with the council "to secure the satisfactory maintenance or/and dismantling and disposal of the structure if and where necessary".
A four-week deadline now applies for objections to be made to An Bord Pleanala, which can overturn the decision.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin City Council has granted planning permission to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to build a black steel lattice sculpture of a human at City Quay by Turner prize-winning artist Anthony Gormley, best-known for his 'Angel of the North' sculpture in the north of England.
Construction work will begin early next year at City Quay, and is expected to cost €1.6m.
Objectors claimed the massive work, which will be just 10 metres shorter than Liberty Hall and the same height as the Statue of Liberty, will dominate views of Dublin Bay from the city centre and relegate existing buildings to 'bit players'.
A petition from local residents also claimed it would over-shadow their homes, with 'adverse disturbance' to the footpath near their homes.
But the city council granted a 10-year planning permission, subject to six conditions.
Among them are a requirement that the DDDA submit full details on the cleaning arrangements for the sculpture, amid fears that it could become home to hundreds of birds. The authority will also have to outline the implications on the surrounding area.
It will also be required to lodge a deposit with the council "to secure the satisfactory maintenance or/and dismantling and disposal of the structure if and where necessary".
A four-week deadline now applies for objections to be made to An Bord Pleanala, which can overturn the decision.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
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