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We used to have a tread on public art, but search does not bring it up. Is search limited? Or do threads get deleted after a certain time?
Anyway...
The Owain Glyndwr Society want to pay for a new statue of Owain Glyndwr that is visible to the public in Cardiff, and the council have commented favourably.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2012/10/02/new-statue-of-welsh-hero-owain-glyndwr-set-for-cardiff-91466-31942244/
Do we reckon it'll be any good? Where should it go?
Quite ironic really given that Owain Glyndwrs major connection with Cardiff is that he ransacked the place!
As for locations I've always thought the end of St Mary St where the statue of the Marquis of Bute once stood is a good place for public art (forever known as the monument end). I'd like to see it mounted on a high plinth to create a landmark. Not quite Nelson's Column size but something you can see from a distance.
Other than that I suppose near the Senedd is the most appropriate. But where? I'd be tempted to move the Ivor Novello statue (which I think is quite awful) and plonk Owain in between the Senedd and the WMC. Perhaps create a public speaking/rallying point around it like Hyde Park corner.....
Good call that, Karl.
It might be written into the plans for the central square/callaghan sq/convention centre talk we've heard of lately. I could see that working for the council, part of making a new public space and getting some public art in for free...
I'd rather some interesting, bold modern art a la Dublins spire (I appreciate that that is far more costly though).
I think one of Roald Dahl would be more suitable where the one of Novello is...
And while we're at it, melt down the 'family ones' in the city centre that have absolutely no meaning whatsoever to Cardiff.
Also, wouldn't make sense to have Callaghan in Callaghan Sq?..
I think it would be a good idea to have a public work of art dedicated to Glyndwr. Whilst he is a polemic figure, it is important for the capital of Wales to recognise such an influential figure in Welsh history.
A monument park would be something to look down maybe. There are some really good statues in the city which, I feel, would have more impact if they were all joined in together into some sort of park, maybe along the walkways of Bute Park.
A round up and review of Cardiff's public art by the acerbic Mr Mortimer.
http://dicmortimer.com/2013/07/16/public-art-in-cardiff/
Very difficult to argue about any of those observations really.
I would love to see those roundabout sculptures done away with, and I'm not so fond of the seeds and spices in Riverside.
There is no logic to having a statue to Owain Glyndwr in Cardiff. As already said, he destroyed Cardiff, and besides, there is already a very impressive statue of him in City Hall.
Glen
In the early 15th Century Cardiff was a walled town (and had been recognised since the 12th century as a Borough by Royal Charter) of approximately 1500 people. It was the largest Borough in Wales (if you include the Hundreds). It was an important provincial market town and port in South Wales with two friaries, and four churches. By what records exist (mainly Adam of Usk) Glyndwr's attack left little remaining in Cardiff apart from the (damaged) castle and the Greyfriars. Many buildings (including St John's Church) were destroyed and it took years for Cardiff to recover. The Glyndwr rebellion actually decimated the Welsh economy for about 40 years. Personally I think Glyndwr was a great figure whose story deserves a far wider audience. Sticking a statue of him in Cardiff won't do that.
My post was a statement of fact not political sentiment. There are more relevant and appropriate historical figures associated with Cardiff.
A statue commemorating Glyndwr's attack on Cardiff (with a contextual explanation of the wider rebellion) would be relevant and a valuable means of enlightening people on a little known but critically important period of Welsh history, but a simple statue of the man will be about as useful and relevant to Cardiff as one of Hywel Dda.
I'm not sure if I like this or not. It's different, I'll give it that!
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/coming-soon-cardiff-bay-bug-5716110
That's... different. Tell me, would anyone here be interested in buying food from a gigantic, bug-shaped place on a hot, summer day?
I am personally holding out for a gigantic statue in the Bay, similar to The Motherland Calls in Russia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Motherland_Calls
But instead of a scantily-clad woman, it would be a tired, dishevelled Jantra in his dressing gown, and instead of a sword, it would be a leek.
Well based on the report, I think it will be awful...but I'm all for innovation and interest and originality in the bay area so will reserve judgement for now...
I.e like cardiff to follow bristol and have lots of different models scattered around the city. Currently its lots of gromits differently decorated. Very good and attract people to collesathen all. Previously its been gorill. a
They are a bit old tat now, Liverpool had lamb bananas, London had elephants, even Newport had dragons for the Ryder cup!
I actually have an idea that we could use.
It's called the Dalek Walk.
Say we have 9 - 12 differently coloured Daleks spaced throughout the city at various historical or tourist-friendly places, such as Cardiff Castle. They would all have to be within walking distance of each other, but if done right, it could become a regular thing for tourists.
Of course, we would need the BBC's permission, and we'd be screwed if they ever moved Doctor Who out of Cardiff, but it was just a thought.
I'd also like to see a gigantic aluminium/silver/chrome Iron Giant standing next, or nearby the Alliance sculpture in front of the Central Library, as I think that would compliment it well.
Interesting proposal on the Council website:
14/01015/DCI | THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STATUE OF MAHATMA GANDHI IN LLOYD GEORGE AVENUE IN THE PUBLIC REALM | ADJACENT TO CRAFT IN THE BAY, LLOYD GEORGE AVENUE, ATLANTIC WHARF, CARDIFF, CF10 4QH
Indeed. The Hindu Council of Wales want to put it up. We are talking about a statue of Gandhi on a plinth similar to the Ivor Novello one, with Gandhi holding a book and a stick, in bronze, a bit over three meters tall including the plinth. It is south of craft in the bay, in what is currently hedge by the road. The location was chosen in discussion with the council so I guess it has a good chance of being approved. I wonder if the finance is already in place, or if this will see the start of a fund raising scheme.
I'm fairly agnostic on this. It's not far from the Senedd. Westminster has plenty of statues honouring world statesmen around in Parliament Square - so why not? For me, it depends on how good a work it is. There's a lot of bad public art in the Bay.
I do think there's a tendancy to allow anyone who wants to to errect statues. I'm thinking on the religious gnome on Harbour drive. Hideous!
You'd have thought that a statute of Jim Callaghan on his eponymous square or one of David Lloyd Geeorge on Boy George Avenue would have happened by now.
That statue on Harbour Drive annoys me every time I pass it, it's so trite and lifeless. Well, I guess I'd be more worried if it came to life, but you know what I mean.
I would hope that it may resonate with those who know about the man, his thoughts, legacy and allow those who don't to find out a bit more. But then I am an old lefty romantic!!
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