International Scale Installations To Mark “Year Of Legends”

The Search Is On For Inspirational Ideas Which Will See Artworks, Inspired By Wales’ Many Legendary Figures, Installed At Some Of Wales’ Most Loved And Iconic Sites – As Part Of The Year Of Legends In 2017. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The competition to design and build the two art Installations has now gone live on Sell2Wales, the website advertising Welsh Government procurement opportunities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The competition will be run by the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, Cadw. It will see up to two major landmarks inspired by Welsh legends designed and, depending on the scale and nature of the designs, built and installed during the Year of Legends. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Working with the Arts Council for Wales and Visit Wales, Cadw will reveal the preferred concepts in the spring. The successful artist or artists will then design, create and install the landmarks. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

One installation is guaranteed for Flint Castle as part of enhancement works at this historic and iconic monument; with a second artwork at a heritage site, in the care of the Welsh Government, to be determined on the basis of concept proposals. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Nature has shaped Wales as a country full of visual drama and splendour. From the beginnings of our earliest times people added stories to our wonderful landscapes; built castles and fought wars; forged industry, communities and inspired innovation; moulded artistic and sporting heroes. Wales is a country steeped in history with a vibrant 21st century culture. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Taking inspiration from this legacy Cadw challenges artists to devise creative and inspirational ways to celebrate legendary Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cadw will be looking for final designs that are innovative and original; that will bring Wales’s heritage to life and catch people’s imaginations and inspire them to visit Wales and explore its incredible historic sites. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure, said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We’re always looking at new and imaginative ways to bring Wales’s historic sites to life. The success of the poppies installation in Caernarfon Castle last month showed that there is an appetite to see outstanding installations in our heritage sites. The Year of Legends is about bringing the past to life like never before and creating and celebrating new Welsh legends. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

These art installations are an excellent example of how our heritage sites can be celebrated and enjoyed in a new way. We’re looking for ideas which can be thought of as internationally outstanding – which will inspire people to visit Wales. Our focus will be on reputation changing, bold, creative and innovative projects.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The contract notice is available on Sell2Wales (external link). The deadline for the first stage of the bid process is 20 December. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​