HS1 Ltd

Artists shortlist revealed for £2 million public art commission
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date 29 January 2008
source HS1 Ltd
type Press release

Five major artists – Daniel Buren, Richard Deacon, Christopher Le Brun, Mark Wallinger and Rachel Whiteread – are in contention to create the £2 million EBBSFLEET LANDMARK , the most significant public art commission since Antony Gormley’s ‘Angel of the North’ ten years ago, it was announced today.

The Commission is to create a landmark to signal the new Ebbsfleet International station and the planned transformation of Ebbsfleet Valley, one of the largest and most ambitious development sites in Europe. At over 40 metres high, it will be twice the height of the ‘Angel of the North’, standing as high as Nelson’s Column, visible from all four points of the compass from road, rail and air, firmly placing Ebbsfleet Valley on the map.

The Ebbsfleet Landmark will be an enduring symbol for Ebbsfleet Valley, a new community to be created on 1,000 acres of open land, former cement quarries in North Kent, creating the hub of Britain’s newest gateway to Europe. With thousands of new houses, schools, offices, new roads and high speed rail links connecting London and continental Europe from Ebbsfleet International station, Ebbsfleet Valley, by 2012, will be a major driver for an emerging new economy in one of England’s most under-resourced areas. The Ebbsfleet Landmark will be sited on a hilltop, an extraordinary location close to the network of motorways of the M25 and M20 on the A2, at the heart of a planned new public park.

Over the next three months, the five shortlisted artists will develop proposals for the site. These will go on show in Spring 2008. From Summer 2008, the selected artist will work with a world-class team of structural engineers and advisors towards the completion of the Ebbsfleet Landmark in 2010.

The Ebbsfleet Landmark is a rare example of large-scale private patronage: the three Patrons are Eurostar, London & Continental Rail ways and Land Securities, developers of Ebbsfleet Valley.

Allan Willett CMG, Lord Lieutenant of Kent and Chair of the panel of the Ebbsfleet Landmark, said today: "The Ebbsfleet Landmark is more than this country’s most substantial public art commission. It is set to make a decisive contribution to Kent and the South East as the gateway to England and will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of an entire area East of London. The process of cultural renewal is underway and we are proud to be announcing such an amazing group of artists who share our ambition."

The Ebbsfleet Landmark Project Advisory Board: Victoria Pomery, Director, Turner Contemporary, Margate; Peter Murray OBE, Director, Yorkshire Sculpture Park; Lady Madeleine Bessborough, Director, The New Art Centre, Roche Court; Simon Wallis, Director, Chisenhale Gallery. Curator: Claire Foster , Futurecity.

www.ebbsfleetlandmark.com

Press Enquiries
Jane Quinn, Bolton & Quinn 020 7221 5000 / jq@boltonquinn.com

Railhub Archive ::: 2008-01-29 HS1-001