Fleet: Art in the Haven Ports, Essex and Suffolk coast

I'm not sure whether any of these artworks are still on display (bit slow on the uptake, me, this started in Autumn 09) But Tod Hanson, who was commissioned in Lancaster at the Storey, has created a beautiful work as part of the programme, which you can view here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dubdog/4799816556/ (Can't download the photo I'm afraid)
The project website is here: http://www.fleet-art.org/ although it's a bit gappy.

The project, developed and presented by Commissions East, aimed to 'bring the contemporary visual arts to a number of historic and endangered sites in the East of England.' The sites are influenced by their location on Suffolk and Essex coastline: internationally renowned for its natural beauty and wildlife habitats.

Fleet is the UK part of an international arts programme called Face2Face – and the programme apparently included residencies from French as well as UK artists. There were commissions, residencies and events, plus film screenings and other works brought to the UK by the partners from the Nord Pas de Calais region.

David Cotterrell's Hill 33 project in the Forest of Dean

David Cotterrell has created an enormous 1,300 tonne, 11 metre tall, new earthwork made out of HESCO concertainers (TM) which are used by the Army to build shelters and large-scale defence structures in Afghanistan. David Cotterrell’s first sight of HESCO was when he was based in Afghanistan as a war artist. The artwork is in Gloucestershire and was commissioned by the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust.

Watch a time lapse video of the artwork being created here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_9065000/9065421.stm

Hoping to go and see it soon. It looks a bit stark at the moment but it will be interesting to see how much it changes over the next few years.

Vivien Lovell from Modus Operandi responds to Anna Pasternak article...

'Permanent versus temporary public art is not the issue. Budgets for public art—in all its forms—now provide a major income stream for artists, and some of these sources are under threat.' Full article here: http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Permanent+versus+temporary+public+art+is+not+the+issue/21762

Lovely Weather: Art & Climate Change exhibition & conference, Ireland

'Climate Change is the issue of our times. The oceans are warming, glaciers are disappearing and the natural world is in sharp decline.

Donegal County Council Public Art Office/Regional Cultural Centre in partnership with Leonardo/Olats has established a unique and ambitious initiative entitled ‘Lovely Weather’ Art and Climate Change which fundamentally seeks to determine and present the role artists have to play in the Climate Change debate. This is the first and only of its kind in Ireland!

Following an international competition five artists/scientists were selected to work in residence in each of the five electoral areas of County Donegal, to explore on the ground, the effects of climate change and its modifications throughout the county. The brochure above explains each of the projects in more detail.

The Lovely Weather Art and Climate Change Exhibition and Conference will take place at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on 12th and 13th November 2010, the exhibition will continue until 22nd January 2011. We have placed the exhibition opening and confrence as part of National Science Week 2010.

Please see http://lovelyweatherproject.blogspot.com/ for on-line registration. and www.donegalpublicart.ie for further details.'

Intersections, Radar & Public View

Intersections
Thought this website and organisation based in Newcastle, Intersections, might be of interest - thanks to Matt Baker for sharing info.
'Intersections generates critical dialogue about public art practice and develops pioneering practice-based and theoretical research in this area. Intersections is a project which links Fine Art at Newcastle University with the wider cultural sector through events, research projects and generating debate. Drawing together practitioners, theorists, sector organisations, policy makers and the wider public, Intersections examines issues arising from the creative friction inherent in the interaction of public art practice, policy and public space. Underpinning our work is an ethos of collaboration, working with artists and organisations outside the University to host events and develop research projects on carefully selected themes.'

Radar
Met someone from Radar at Loughborough University in Weston super Mare while at the Wonders of Weston launch. http://www.arts.lboro.ac.uk/radar/
'Radar is Loughborough University’s contemporary arts programme, hosting three seasons of work each year.  Each season of commissions, talks, films and events is inspired by a particular area of research or inquiry being investigated by artists and academics.  The programme sets out to encourage creative exploration and critical debate, working, in particular, with artists whose practice seeks to reinterpret the relationship between artist, environment and spectator.'

Public View
This website about public art in Sunderland might also be of interest:
www.publicview.org.uk

Morecambe to Bridlington cycle route commission by Matt Baker

Artist Matt Baker has been commissioned to develop ideas for an innovative public art project linked to the Way of the Roses, a new coast-to-coast cycle route between Morecambe and Bridlington.
Matt says:
'I have just completed a marathon 4 week research journey along the route (see my blog : http://tinyurl.com/32ro85p). It was a very inspiring trip and I interviewed over 50 people/groups on the way. I am working towards a concept presentation on Nov 10th and will be proposing a series of interlinked site-specific collaborations with local groups and artists over the route together with works for either end (the two ends will set up the conceptual framework for the smaller works along the way)'
Watch this space...