Main Menu
Login
| Devon Artist to build Nowhere Island |
|
|
| Monday, 26 October 2009 | |
 NowhereIsland, left by a melting glacier Devon artist Alex Hartley is to excavate part of an Arctic island and build his own floating island as one of 12 'Cultural Olympiad' projects for the 2012 London Olympics.
The artist, who comes from Dunkeswell, first visited the Arctic island in Svalbard, Norway as part of a climate change expedition in 2004. He was the first human being to stand on it, after it was revealed in the melting ice of a retreating glacier. The Arts Council funded project will be excavating rocks from the island, towing them to Britain on a barge, and using them to build 'Nowhere Island' on a floating platform the size of a football pitch.
There will also be an environmental education programme linked to the Nowhere Island artwork. Gillian Taylor from the Arts Council said, "We wanted something big and special and thought-provoking on an environmental issue."
 Svalbard, original home of Nowhere Island The Nowhere Island home page explains, "This artwork seeks to poetically explore issues of climate change, land ownership, national identity and the exploitation of the earth's remaining natural resources."
Nowhere Island will be in Weymouth for the 2012 Olympic sailing events, and will then be towed around South West England to Bristol by tug. Bristol was the launching point for John Cabot's expedition to find the North West passage.
 Nowhere Island: Micronation seeks Citizens Anyone is welcome to become a citizen of Nowhere Island , though sadly only Mr Hartley will be allowed onto it. There will also be an international architectural competition to design a small building for Mr Hartley to live in on Nowhere Island.
"It is slightly absurd, but it is really easy to engage people with... When you see the island there will be magic in it", Mr Hartley said.
Become a citizen of Nowhere Island Read more about Nowhere Island on BBC News
Devon Directory Listings:
|
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|