Page 14 - link magazine

\ \Qgaz1ne c 'How The Mighty Fall'
7 PubIIe Recently Ed Stanford (Landscape Manager) and myself took a walk up
A view by Lorraine Cox,
Public Arts Officer at Thamesdown Borough Council

tur.
kuip 'How the Mighty Fall' by the Artist Tim Sandys-Renton.
to Shaw Ridge with Roger Ogle, Editor of The Link to view and discuss
Being new to the Borouah, I hadn't
seen this sculpture in the 'flesh' so to
Last month we issued a challenge to readers to use this page to sound speak. Once the business of having
off about the public sculptures located around West Swindon. our photograph taken was out of
We had a couple of positive responses but there wasn't enough the way, we began to discuss and
time to ask the letter writers to visit the sculptures. We have asked resolve what this sculpture is about
Robert Cox and Mrs Rachel Martin, both of Shaw to contribute their and why it is placed on the ridge.
views on Julie Livsey's 'White Horse Pacified'for next month's edition. Someone said there used to be a
In the meantime, Lorraine Cox, Public Arts Officer at Thamesdown Roman encampment here before
Council, has taken a look at the area's latest sculpture. the housing developments of the
We're still interested in your comments on public sculpture. If you'd late 70's. There arequite obviously
like to visit them when we tour the sites over the coming months, ring two wheels protruding from the
Roger Ogle on 872282. ground which are centred by an
aluminium wing-like structure. The
wing or fuselage looks as though
Activity Time
some giant has thrown it like a
Children's Activity blade; landing it has punctured the
Birthday Parties earth. Allowing forfurtherflights of
2 hour workshop our imagination - during this
All art/craft materials provided supposed flight, a man has launched Lorraine Cox, Ed Stanford
Goodie bags & himself full-force at the object and imprinted figure
pecial goodie bag for party child. leaving a complex imprint of his ideas. I think the semi-circular
Tel. Suzy Wollaston on 486167.
body. There are eye-holds and banks of grass and daffodils
nostrils and a greygrained effect compliment and reflect the apparent
a4I on the aluminium body print, details motion of the sculpture. The cost of
which forced us to scrutinize the the sculpture was a tiny partof our
sculpture. over-all budetto develop this entire
Tel: Nicky on 537113 space. I think it's value for money.'
Experienced in all aspects of LADIES, Anyway, whatever you ropi n ion
CENTS & CHILDREN'S Hairdressing. of contemporary art and of this
sculpture, I urge you to give it more
Please telephone anytime. If necessary than a glance. We enjoyed the trip
leave a message on the answerphone. and the discussion. There was just
one last thoughtas we walked away
from the site. The colour of the
WYVERN THEATRE wheels seem to refer to the colours
of the houses below and, if you
imagine them once in motion,
SWINDON appear to be running down the
slope. Perhaps the Artist intended
us to think about todays
Monday 23rd - Saturday 28th April technological achievements and our
constant pursuit of speed.
7.30pm, Sat. 4.30pm & 8pm Being new to the Borough, I can
Anton Chekov's honestly tell you that this Council is
Uncle Vanya second to none in its reputation as
an innovative supporter of the Arts.
There are deep foot-prints onto
Scenes From Country Life on the rust coloured wheels whic Ithinkitis this very spirit of initiative
The premiere of a new English verson hold water in the toes at this time of and original thought that the Artist
by Stephen MacDonald year. It's as though someone had has captured here at Show Ridge.
once tried to ride on the wheels. Take another look please.
A brilliantly entertaining and humourous classic play dealing
with man's misuse of the environment and misplaced love. In fact the whole sculpture has a
STARRING strong sense of time, tricks and the
SIMON DUTTON (The Saint'), TAMSIN OLIVER AND pursuit of speed.
JACQUELINE DANKWORTH It's really notbychance or mistake
thatthis sculpture conjures up ideas
Concessions - Monday
Mon - Thurs £7.50; £6.50
2 for the price of 1
Fri/Sat £8.50; £7.50 of time past and our ambitions to
Tues - Sat £1.50 off
Sat Mat. £4.50 flight and motion, or that it stands
proud on this ridge which has seen
The performance on Wednesday 25 April at 7.30pm will be a the ingenuity of the Romans working
* signed performance for the deaf and hard of hearing. metals and building roads.
Perhaps you think differently, that
* Special Green Benefit Evening. Thursday 26 April, 7.30pm it's lusta waste of moneyand effort.
Stay behind after the show for an informal discussion on
But Ed Stanford, the Council's
* environmental issues with the actors and local Landscape Manager, view is,
environmentalists.
"Landscape Architects worked very
* closely with the Artist to develop
BOX OFFICE
Made possbI this open space for the enjoyment
Ri 1)11( \Ifl) I l\I and recreation of the people who
Art.&R
BOROUGH OF live close by; it was a very exciting
(079 3) 694055 (0793)524481 THAMESOYWN
collaboration, a pulling together of