This Is Guernsey

By James Varley

Artist Andy Goldsworthy will be leaving his man-made stone sculptures around Alderney. (0775723)

TOP British artist Andy Goldsworthy is to develop a project in Alderney. The Cheshire-born 53-year-old has created outdoor exhibitions in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, as well as in Canada, Japan, Australia and the North Pole.

He picked Alderney as his next venue after visiting the Bailiwick last year following an invitation from the Guernsey College of Further Education

Andy’s Channel Islands project, called Alderney Stones, will involve a series of sculptures being placed at various locations in the island. The stones will eventually disintegrate to reveal whatever material he decides to leave inside each one.

Andy, who lives in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, explained his innovative idea in more detail earlier this week.

‘I would like to develop a project in Alderney which will involve the construction and siting of a series of rammed earth stones. The size and number of the stones can adapt to circumstances. My initial feeling is that the stones, of which there will be between seven and 15, will be about 5ft in diameter.

‘Each stone will be made with earth containing materials and objects. These will be incorporated into each stone as it is being constructed and might be rocks, branches, bones, tools, seeds, clothes, beach debris or anything else.

‘These materials will be revealed as the stones wear away. The stones will need to be made indoors and left to dry for a year before being placed on site. They will then be sited at various locations around the island and left.

It will be a project that reveals itself over time through the process of erosion, which I hope will be relevant to a small island.’

His proposal came about after he was approached by the International Artist in Residence Programme at the college.

Supported by HSBC Bank and the Guernsey Arts Commission, the programme addresses the idea of how creativity and creative projects can contribute to the economy while enriching the texture and quality of island life.

The intention for 2010 was to extend the programme into the rest of the Bailiwick with the idea of linking an artist of international standing to one of the four islands.

Andy went on to say what convinced him to pick Alderney.

‘I have chosen Alderney because it seems to have a strong sense of layered past and a wide variety of locations in a small area.’

Joanna Parmentier, Alderney’s marketing manager, said: ‘Everyone is delighted Andy has chosen to use our island as the venue to showcase his next project.

‘I am sure the stones will interest islanders and visitors while adding to Alderney’s unique appeal as a tourist destination.’

Alderney States and the college are working together to ensure Andy’s proposal comes to fruition and will meet him early next month when he visits the island to discuss the project.

Article posted on 26th May, 2009 - 10.00am