Big Things on the Beach 2007 - WONDER

Post by **wangi** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:42

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=584022007

THEY form one of the Seven Wonders of the World, drawing countless visitors each year to the banks of the Nile.

Now city tourism leaders are hoping pyramids planned for Portobello Beach can do something similar, though on a somewhat smaller scale, for the banks of the Forth.

...

The project, entitled Wonder, was commissioned by the town's arts trust Big Things on the Beach. The artist's idea was selected from 33 proposals by a panel that took part in a year-round class teaching 14 residents how to commission a piece of public art.

...

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:44

Thanks Wangi, was trying to post that link but everything fell over.

so again.
Pyramids?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:45

"sandbags that residents will help fill with 300,000kg of sand from the famous beach."

Any takers?

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:46

Wonder who will crack the whips?

Any takers for Rameses, Moses, Cleopatra?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:48

Any idea where they're going?

Post by **wangi** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:48

SoupDragon wrote:And the residents have to fill the bags?

We that bit's completely voluntary... The less filled by volunteers = more to be filled by Jephson.

As to the pyramids... A series of three pyramids built out of filled sandbags. The three will be of different size. The 15000 is due to some stat somewhere that that is the population (or is it number of households) in Porty.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:50

wangi wrote: The 15000 is due to some stat somewhere that that is the population (or is it number of households) in Porty.

The number of threads on Talkporty?

Thought it was illegal to take sand from the beach?

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:51

Epykat wrote:Any idea where they're going?

What about outsides Findlays.
Best place for Cheops?

Post by **wangi** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:54

Epykat wrote:Thought it was illegal to take sand from the beach?

It's not going anywhere - it'll still be on the beach and will be returned to the beach when the piece is removed. And the hessian bags can be composted...

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Apr 2007, 12:55

Somewhere the tide doesn't come in? How much is this costing - go on, give us a laugh

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 16 Apr 2007, 13:56

Why have they been so um, secretive about this till today? There's nothing on the website, they haven't popped up here again, and none of the folk on the mailing list have heard a word even though we thought we were on, well, a mailing list...

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 16 Apr 2007, 14:08

rapunzell wrote:Why have they been so um, secretive about this till today? There's nothing on the website, they haven't popped up here again, and none of the folk on the mailing list have heard a word even though we thought we were on, well, a mailing list...

Maybe BTOTB chose to use a softly-softly type approah for this project as they ddn't want o be seen to be using overt sales tactics. Pyramid selling is still a bitter memory for many who lost out previously.

Post by **wangi** » 16 Apr 2007, 14:09

Who's "they"?

As mentioned in the paper... Over the past year 14 local residents have taken part in a course about how to commission public art. I'm one of those 14. It's been this group that has commissioned this piece, rather than the BTOTB committee. See also http://www.bigthingsonthebeach.org.uk/c ... n2006.html

It's been interesting and hard work! We had 33 (or was it 34) proposals submitted by artists and managed to whittle that down to a short list of three artists. The final interviews and decision was only made a few weeks ago.

I'm certain there will be a full announcement via the mailing list.

No idea about the website, it does look like it's in intensive care. But I'm going to keep quite about that - don't want to land myself with another one to take care of

PS: Way back when... the course that this commission is a result of was advertised on the BTOTB mailing list and (at the time) Portobello Online. It's just that that was a fair while back and I'm sure everyone has forgotten!

That's how I got invloved.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 16 Apr 2007, 14:35

By 'they' I mean the BGotB committee : )

I do remember the thread on POL and was looking forward to seeing it updated as everything progressed. I have a particular interest in this as I spent much time emailing with them last year about the beach access project and how they could ensure access to their installations this year, working together if need be for maximum funding and effectiveness. They must have managed to organise pathways by themselves, which is great

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Apr 2007, 16:59

Well , I think it will be a bit of fun watching them go up. If we get a summer like last year I'm sure there'll be plenty of folk willing to shovel a wee bit of sand into a bag ot two

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 16 Apr 2007, 17:15

I've got my bucket and spade ready

Post by **wangi** » 17 Apr 2007, 17:08

From the mailing list:

This year's Big THings on the Beach commission is called 'Wonder' and will be created on the beach nearby the Community Garden by Scottish artist Hill Jephson Robb. The work will involve the construction of three substantial pyramids, starting on May 21st. The work will be completed and celebrated on Saturday, June 23rd - everyone welcome - and will stay in place until September. You may have seen some publicity about the project in today's Evening News. According to this, the City's tourism leaders are hoping the project will attract the same level of interest as the Ancient Egyptions' efforts on the banks of the Nile - but you shouldn't believe everything you read in the paper.

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 19 Apr 2007, 15:01

Somehow I can't imagine three large piles of sandbags looking anything a good as the pyramids in Egpyt!!! Is it just me

I kind of imagine they will look no more or no less than three big piles of sandbags...................

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 19 Apr 2007, 22:27

The flags last year worked really well and I think the pyramids are a great idea.

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 20 Apr 2007, 11:48

Pal of Porty wrote:The flags last year worked really well and I think the pyramids are a great idea.

Don't get me wrong. It's a good idea, but all I'm sayig is that I can't imagine them looking like anything other than a big pile of sandbags shaped like pyramids.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 20 Apr 2007, 13:40

Black Mamba wrote:
Pal of Porty wrote:The flags last year worked really well and I think the pyramids are a great idea.
Don't get me wrong. It's a good idea, but all I'm sayig is that I can't imagine them looking like anything other than a big pile of sandbags shaped like pyramids.

I agree - that is why they will be brill.

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 20 Apr 2007, 19:41

Black Mamba wrote:Don't get me wrong. It's a good idea, but all I'm sayig is that I can't imagine them looking like anything other than a big pile of sandbags shaped like pyramids.

I think you might be surprised, pack and 'sculpt' them well enough and they could look just like sandstone bricks.

I'm excited about the pyramids, more so than I was by any of the other previous BToTB 'events'.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 20 Apr 2007, 19:50

I'm also looking forward to see who climbs them first, and who falls off

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:18

rapunzell wrote:I'm also looking forward to see who climbs them first, and who falls off

Don't let Arachnid near them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:35

Black Mamba wrote:
rapunzell wrote:I'm also looking forward to see who climbs them first, and who falls off
Don't let Arachnid near them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hows that!

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:42

Sandra wrote:
Black Mamba wrote:
rapunzell wrote:I'm also looking forward to see who climbs them first, and who falls off
Don't let Arachnid near them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hows that!

Well if they react anything like electronic equipment when she's around, they'll probably colapse or self destruct or..........well you get the picture.

One day I was in a store with Arachnid and the till went bonkers at the check out. Once she moved awy it worked okay, and that's just one example

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:42

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:44

We want warning when Arachnid is on her way to the pyramids so we can get the cameras ready

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:44

Don't tell her we were talking about her though

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:45

Black Mamba wrote:Don't tell her we were talking about her though

ha ha ha like she won't find out

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 20 Apr 2007, 22:46

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 21 Apr 2007, 10:02

Pal of Porty wrote:I agree - that is why they will be brill.

How do you know they'll be brill? You're just too trusting you - that's what gets you into Pudsey situations

. These artists need a bit of constructive criticism to get their juices flowing - no good telling them they're brilliant before you even seen the thing - remember the dirty sheets for instance?

Post by **wangi** » 21 Apr 2007, 12:49

Epykat wrote:remember the dirty sheets for instance?

What, these?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 21 Apr 2007, 13:21

ha ha ha ha ha they were awful

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 21 Apr 2007, 19:36

Yes THOSE. Art my ****