PASW Regional Newsletter: Spring 2001
Regional Projects - Saltash Millennium Project, Cornwall
The Saltmill Millennium project involves the re-creation of a 16-acre landfill site next to the river Tamar, just north of the Tamar Bridges. The £3-million project was put together by Groundwork in association with Caradon District Council, who own the site. Steve Geliot was appointed as lead artist in 1998, and developed a proposal for site-specific art projects to take place on the site, integrated within the landscape scheme. Following a successful lottery bid over twelve artists have been commissioned to create works of art for the site, and run an extensive programme of workshops, talks and other events which aimed to engage the local community and actively involve litterally hundreds of people. Most of the artists were briefed to respond to the landscape in some way, with the result that the reading and perception of the landscape occurs simultaneously with the reading and perception of the artworks.
Eternal Parents a landmark sculpture by Steve Geliot in Cedar and Granite, standing 8 meters high, and set within a paved area of bonded natural aggregates and oak decking, located at the site apex, next to the River Tamar.
Working as lead artist has been both inspiring and infuriating. The project has involved all participants battling through many difficulties: engineering problems, handling political obstacles, contractual issues, and of course the impact of global warming giving the artists and the main contractors dreadful weather conditions to contend with. However as the project approaches completion, the downside of the challenges we have all faced seems to receed, and the fundamental pleasure of taking what was a negative place, and by working collaboratively, transforming it into a place of resonance makes it all worthwhile. The Saltmill Millennium project will open officially later in the year.
Steve Geliot, Lead Artist