The vision for an ever-changing art display along Hove seafront has moved one step closer with a call for scupltors to submit proposals for the Hove Plinth.
The Hove Civic Society has been given money by the Arts Council and National Lottery to install a stone plinth on King’s Esplanade at the foot of Grand Avenue to display statues and other artwork.
Artists now have until 4 May to enter their ideas for the first artworks to be exhibited there. A shortlist of ten will then be publicly exhibited allowing the public to comment on which they think should be chosen.
A selection panel will then interview the shortlisted artists and choose three works intended to become the first in a series of sculptures for the plinth.
Lead project manager Karin Janzon said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for artists to come up with imaginative ideas for new sculptures in Hove and for the public to be part of the selection process.
“We want to make local residents, businesses and visitors aware of the exciting possibilities for the Hove Plinth, create a buzz of excitement and encourage involvement and support for this ambitious project that will put Hove on the map as a destination for public art.”
Sir Timothy Sainsbury, Hove Plinth Patron and former Hove MP, says: ” I welcome the initiative by Hove Civic Society to bring public art to the Hove Promenade.
“It will enable Hove residents and visitors to see sculpture displayed in a wonderful seaside location”.
Each of the three artists who make the final selection will receive a fee of £2500 to produce a maquette of their proposed sculpture.
This small scale model will be used to aid fundraising for the full-scale sculpture and will enable potential funders to visualise the proposed artwork.
Artists have been encouraged to consider both modern and historical associations with the promenade site when designing their sculptures and will need to comply with height and weight restrictions.
The plinth will be installed with lighting and wi-fi to provide interactive and educational possibilities and together with the sculpture it will reach no more than 5.5m high.
The society anticipates that the selected sculptures will each be displayed on the plinth for 12 months, but permanent sites for the sculptures at the end of this period will be sought in Brighton and Hove or beyond.
Artists who wish to submit a proposal should visit www.hoveplinth.org.uk to download full details of the brief.
They’ll probably take it away again once homeless people start sleeping against it.