As one of Heartlands commissioned artists I have been working on this artist's led community project since 2008, when the Heartlands site was the derelict vandalised and abandoned mining site; Robinson's Shaft.
The project, involving several different groups of students from Pool Academy, has been a journey; including various narratives and art processes, to produce a graphical alphabet. This unique artwork, has been has been the product of various workshops and has been transformed into locally sourcedmetal stencils.These in turn form a poem which has been applied to the 12 totem structures (front and back) that will surround the amphitheatre (plan-an-gwarry) situated within the site of Heartlands. in Pool, Cornwall.
Visitors to Heartlands will not only be asked to uncover the poem by decoding the symbols, but also be invited to graffiti the empty space on the totem poles, leaving their own distinctive mark on this inspirational new cultural space.
Nicky Neate, artist said:
“The Matter of Time Totems have grown from my passion to reunite the community with the area at Heartlands which, as a World Heritage Site and former working mine, has national and personal meaning.
“The totems work on several levels – as a graphical puzzle; as an aesthetically pleasing artwork which changes with the environment over time; and as a supporting structure for the theatrical and musical performances planned in the amphitheatre which they surround.
“By inviting the public to graffiti this piece, I romanticise that a dialogue will develop over time on these structures, linking people for generations to come with Heartlands.”
Carolyn Rule from Cornwall Council said:
“Heartlands will be an exciting cultural space, but it will be exceptional in that visitors are encouraged to interact with the art within, whether it’s touching the curves of the Crushed Wall, sitting on the Seams and Veins granite boulders, or making their mark by carving something onto the Matter of Time Totems.
“We hope the community and beyond will embrace this interaction and enjoy playing their own part in the Heartlands experience.”
The Matter of Time Totems have been placed around the Plen an Gwarry (small event amphitheatre) in front of the artist studios within Heartlands. The public will be unable to view the piece until the attraction, which will be free to enter, is open in Spring 2012. However, those wanting a sneak preview can attend the weekly guided tours of Heartlands by calling 01209 7223290 or emailing info@heartlandscornwall.com
At every stage of the production of this project there has been awareness and some form of involvement from the community. At all times I have kept an emphasis on reflection and transformation within the ethos of the project.
http://www.plenangwarry.blogspot.com/
