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19/11/2008
New Sculpture To 'Rise' At Belfast's Broadway
Plans for an impressive public art sculpture at a main gateway into Belfast have been unveiled.
The piece, named Rise, will be built at Broadway Roundabout by the artist Wolfgang Buttress and will stand at 123 ft high (37.5 metres) by 98.4ft wide (30 metres). Globe shaped, the white and silver aluminium sculpture is said to represent a new sun rising to celebrate a new chapter in the history of Belfast.
Due for construction next year, it is anticipated the piece will be visible from several miles away.
The sculpture will be funded by Belfast City Council, the Department for Social Development and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Following in the footsteps of Glasgow and Barcelona, which are renowned for their public art, Rise will be a landmark piece of art for Belfast, the largest structure of its kind in the city.
Wolfgang Buttress was selected after intense competition from more than 40 artists from Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally.
An experienced artist and sculptor from Birmingham, he has produced public art pieces for cities across the United Kingdom and has had exhibitions from as far away as Japan and the USA.
Lord Mayor Councillor Tom Hartley said: "More than two million vehicles travel past the roundabout at Broadway every month.
"This sculpture will be a welcoming beacon to Belfast for local people and tourists. It is symbolic of the revitalisation of Belfast and will be timeless."
Wolfgang Buttress said: "I am very pleased and honoured to be given the opportunity to create this new artwork for the people of Belfast. I am looking forward to forging new relationships and cementing existing ones.
"I hope that the symbol of the rising sun will be inspiring. This sculpture will work on many levels and will be appreciated both intimately and from afar."
The sculptor will now be encouraging input from local people living near the landmark sculpture.
He will be holding creative workshops with groups from the Greater Village and St James' areas of Belfast.
Belfast City Council said it has been leading on the plans for the new sculpture with strong support and funding from the Department for Social Development (Regeneration Directorate) and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland as well as advice and assistance from DRD Roads Service.
This is the second such selection process to have taken place, as an earlier competition was held in 2005.
Artist Ed Carpenter won with his steel 'Trillian' sculpture, but the escalating cost of the raw material meant that it was decided to be no longer viable within the available budget of £400,000.
See: Council Launches Broadway Roundabout Sculpture Competition
(PR)(BMcC)
The piece, named Rise, will be built at Broadway Roundabout by the artist Wolfgang Buttress and will stand at 123 ft high (37.5 metres) by 98.4ft wide (30 metres). Globe shaped, the white and silver aluminium sculpture is said to represent a new sun rising to celebrate a new chapter in the history of Belfast.
Due for construction next year, it is anticipated the piece will be visible from several miles away.
The sculpture will be funded by Belfast City Council, the Department for Social Development and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Following in the footsteps of Glasgow and Barcelona, which are renowned for their public art, Rise will be a landmark piece of art for Belfast, the largest structure of its kind in the city.
Wolfgang Buttress was selected after intense competition from more than 40 artists from Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally.
An experienced artist and sculptor from Birmingham, he has produced public art pieces for cities across the United Kingdom and has had exhibitions from as far away as Japan and the USA.
Lord Mayor Councillor Tom Hartley said: "More than two million vehicles travel past the roundabout at Broadway every month.
"This sculpture will be a welcoming beacon to Belfast for local people and tourists. It is symbolic of the revitalisation of Belfast and will be timeless."
Wolfgang Buttress said: "I am very pleased and honoured to be given the opportunity to create this new artwork for the people of Belfast. I am looking forward to forging new relationships and cementing existing ones.
"I hope that the symbol of the rising sun will be inspiring. This sculpture will work on many levels and will be appreciated both intimately and from afar."
The sculptor will now be encouraging input from local people living near the landmark sculpture.
He will be holding creative workshops with groups from the Greater Village and St James' areas of Belfast.
Belfast City Council said it has been leading on the plans for the new sculpture with strong support and funding from the Department for Social Development (Regeneration Directorate) and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland as well as advice and assistance from DRD Roads Service.
This is the second such selection process to have taken place, as an earlier competition was held in 2005.
Artist Ed Carpenter won with his steel 'Trillian' sculpture, but the escalating cost of the raw material meant that it was decided to be no longer viable within the available budget of £400,000.
See: Council Launches Broadway Roundabout Sculpture Competition
(PR)(BMcC)
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A new 11m high sculpture on Squire's Hill in Cavehill Country Park is to be unveiled today, Friday 16 September, to coincide with Culture Night 2016. The major new piece of public art, entitled 'Origin', will become the highest positioned sculpture in Belfast, overlooking the city from Cavehill.
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All RISE As Belfast Landmark Looms
RISE, a 'breathtaking sculpture', is about to change Belfast's skyline forever. The new landmark for Belfast is being built at Broadway Roundabout, one of the main gateways to the city. It will be the biggest public art sculpture in Belfast.
All RISE As Belfast Landmark Looms
RISE, a 'breathtaking sculpture', is about to change Belfast's skyline forever. The new landmark for Belfast is being built at Broadway Roundabout, one of the main gateways to the city. It will be the biggest public art sculpture in Belfast.
31 March 2010
'Magic Jug' Sculpture For Belfast
Belfast's build heritage has just received a fillip with news of a new public art installation. NI Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, has announced the commissioning of new public art, the 'Magic Jug', for Fountain Street in Belfast City Centre.
'Magic Jug' Sculpture For Belfast
Belfast's build heritage has just received a fillip with news of a new public art installation. NI Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, has announced the commissioning of new public art, the 'Magic Jug', for Fountain Street in Belfast City Centre.
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A "New Icon" For Belfast City
A new public sculpture called the 'Spirit of Belfast' was unveiled yesterday by Margaret Ritchie, the Social Development Minister. The artwork is located at Cornmarket, Arthur Square, replacing the old bandstand. "It is a new iconic landmark for our capital city.
A "New Icon" For Belfast City
A new public sculpture called the 'Spirit of Belfast' was unveiled yesterday by Margaret Ritchie, the Social Development Minister. The artwork is located at Cornmarket, Arthur Square, replacing the old bandstand. "It is a new iconic landmark for our capital city.
30 October 2009
Titanic Sculpture Unveiled in Belfast
A new piece of street art that pays tribute to the doomed Titanic - which was built almost a century ago - has been unveiled in Belfast, writes Carla Liébana. Designed as a huge 'toy modelling kit' of the mythical liner, it was revealed yesterday at Abercorn Residential Complex in Titanic Quarter.
Titanic Sculpture Unveiled in Belfast
A new piece of street art that pays tribute to the doomed Titanic - which was built almost a century ago - has been unveiled in Belfast, writes Carla Liébana. Designed as a huge 'toy modelling kit' of the mythical liner, it was revealed yesterday at Abercorn Residential Complex in Titanic Quarter.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
