PRESS RELEASE
29 MAY 2014
THE POWER OF ART
Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon Plc announces short-list for international sculpture commission
Artists from Wales, England, Scotland, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Slovenia, Norway, France, Spain, Germany and Japan are leading an international response to a ground breaking zero carbon energy project in Swansea Bay, Wales.
Mags Harries, Lajos Heder, Ingrid Hu, Andy Pink, Peter Wall, Timo Von Kreigstein, Vesta Kroese and Manja Van De Worp are just some of the names included in a short-list of finalists for an international sculpture commission to be sited within the footprint of the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.
More than 100 local and international artists from all disciplines and ages submitted artwork. Developed and promoted by international charity Cape Farewell, the commission will be funded by Tidal Lagoon Power Limited with £10,000.00 prize money. The short-list of entries includes sculptural physical forms, kinetic sculptures, sound events, word sculptures – each of which have addressed in some form, the challenge of tidal power, lunar cycles, energy production and a celebration of the culture of Swansea.
Chief Executive of Tidal Lagoon Power Limited, Mark Shorrock says: “Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon provides a new template; a power station that creates a public amenity and has the potential for low carbon power and culture to flourish together. Working with international charity Cape Farewell, we have established a cultural programme to create a forum for artists, scientists and communicators to be brought together to stimulate the production of art founded in scientific research. We have been blown away by the calibre of the submissions. This is an exciting initiative that we hope will lead to Swansea Bay tidal lagoon becoming a must visit cultural destination as well as the world’s first tidal lagoon. Engaging artists with a major infrastructure project is one of the visions we had for Swansea Bay tidal lagoon when we set out on this journey. To see us take this first step towards that reality is brilliant.”
David Buckland of Cape Farewell says: “Worldwide the artistic and creative community has responded in strength. We received 100 applications that champion the creative spirit and the desire of artists to be part of this inspirational and real project that will go a long way in mitigating the causes of climate change. This has been an extraordinary effort and we salute all the artists.”
“Reducing the field of applications has already been a difficult task. We have been mindful that we do want projects to be ‘doable’, that are original and that will last the test of a harsh environment and time. Some are for indoors and some will have to be adapted to acknowledge the limitations imposed by the lagoon and the necessity tidal lagoon has given itself to achieve its environmental goals. In selecting these projects we have wanted to share the imagination of the artists as well as addressing their ambition to address and celebrate the original concept of the lagoon.”
Julie James AM for Swansea West adds: “This scheme promises a wide variety of potential benefits. Boosting tourism and enriching local culture and identity are just two. It is hugely encouraging to see that the developer has every intention of turning vision into reality in each of these areas. They have my support.”
At 320MW installed capacity, with first power expected in 2018, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon will be the largest marine energy development in the world. Developed by Tidal Lagoon Power Limited, it will have an entirely predictable 495GWh output each year of clean, green electricity and is estimated that it will power 155,000 homes for 120 years – that’s about 11% of Wales’ domestic use.
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Press Enquiries
Photographs are also available to accompany this press release.
For further information please contact Lisa Jenkins, Head of Media on 0790 873 8763 or at lisa.jenkins@tidallagoonpower.com