PARIP 2005

International Conference | 29 June - 03 July 2005

Grace: Tony | UK

From Glen to Gallery: Sculpture and Context

Abstract for PARIP 2005 

The proposed presentation will be a practice-based research project Sculpture and Context – granted initial funding by the University of Paisley. This is an interdisciplinary  programme of investigation into the interrelationship between sculpture,landscape and time.  The central aim is to explore the complex effects of temporal, physical and socio-cultural context on the reception and interpretation of sculpture.

The starting point of the research is the Glenkiln sculptures in Dumfries and Galloway. Several sculptures  including Rodin’s  St John the Baptist and  Henry Moore’s  King and Queen and the Glenkiln Cross are permanently displayed in this  relatively remote glen in south west Scotland - reputedly one of Moore’s favourite sites for his sculptures. The impact of the setting and variation of season and weather will be investigated and set against  the spatial and socio-cultural positioning of similar sculptures. In the specific case of the two aforementioned sculptures other casts of the same work are presented in very different locations around the world. A programme of digital film making has commenced to provide presentation material to support and assist comparative evaluation. The project seeks to reflect further on the relationships between the work and the spectator, and the work and the audio-visual record and its audiences.

The project surveys the relationships between sculpture and the landscape as at Glenkiln,  sculpture in a more metropolitan public context and sculpture within a specific gallery context. The project also seeks to trace the changing critical and cultural debate starting with Rodin’s account of his St John the Baptist, and Henry Moore’s perspective on the installations at Glenkiln, and moving forward to contemporary reassessments of the impact and influence of their work. This will be framed by an examination of the motivation  and function of funding and patronage, alongside interviews with sculptors and curators such as Toby Treves co-curator of the recent retrospective at the Tate Modern. The specific short-term and long-term impact of the siting of sculpture will be examined in detail in the case of Glenkiln. One element will be interviews with  local people, one of whom lived on a farm in the specific location before the installation of the sculptures, 

(and indeed before the creation of the Glenkiln reservoir which both  the King and Queen and St John the Baptist overlook so effectively).

The first phase of the project has included visits to Glenkiln , the Henry Moore Foundation at Much Hadham,  and the Henry Moore retrospective at the Tate Modern. It is anticipated that further filming will be carried through by next Spring and will result in a polished and stimulating presentation for PARIP 2005 – particularly appropriate for the venue of Bretton Hall as this will include including the Moore  sculptures in  Bretton Country Park.