Place of Origin aimed to draw attention to the historic quarry at Kemnay in Aberdeenshire. The project involved the construction of a new vantage point at the southern rim of the Quarry and the creation of a community woodland leading towards the hill, passing through landscape features which reveal different characteristics of granite.
John Maine RA, an artist of international reputation who worked in stone, and who had undertaken many projects in public spaces, led the project. He invited two other artists to work with him - Brad Goldberg based in Dallas, Texas, with a background in landscape architecture and sculpture, and Glen Onwin, a noted Scottish artist, living in Edinburgh and teaching at Edinburgh College of Art. The project team also included an engineer, John Harrison, of Harrison Eastwood, Inverune.
The project had its origins in 1996 with collaboration among Kemnay Community Council, Aggregate Industries (owners of the Quarry) and the artist team, supported by the Scottish Sculpture Workshop.
The project team decided that priority should be placed on achieving the construction aspects of the project with the available funding. Further funding would be sought for additional work on paths, planting, and detailed construction on site, as well as for long-term maintenance and for marketing and publicity.
Les Taylor Ltd was contracted to undertake construction on site. John Maine, the lead artist, worked closely with the contractors on a daily basis. John Harrison, the engineer, monitored construction on a daily basis. Les Taylor Ltd was on site for 6 weeks in total and during that time they undertook the major construction work required to complete the hill and viewing platform. They also completed construction of the berm. The paths and drainage system on the hill were also built.
Les Taylor Ltd. came on site in early March and left the site at the end of April 2003. During this time there was a virtually unbroken period of good weather in Aberdeenshire. This enabled work to proceed quickly.
The working relationship with the contractors and with Aggregate Industries was excellent. The contractors have nominated the project for a Saltire Award. There was to be a site visit by the judges in late July 2003.
Contact
Scottish Sculpture Workshop
1 Main Street
Lumsden
Huntly
Aberdeenshire
AB54 4JN
Telephone: 01464 861372
Email: admin@ssw.org.uk
www.ssw.org.uk