Mixed response to Dunnet artworks
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE two sculptures chosen for the £100,000 upgrade of the existing visitor facilities at Dunnet have met with a mixed reaction from locals.
A mixed-media whale design has been selected for the Dunnet Bay location, while a three-metre high steel sculpture based on a radar screen is the choice for Dunnet Head.
After a number of proposed artworks were previewed at a public meeting last month, Highland Council agreed to have a rethink due to a backlash from a number of local people.
As previously reported in the Caithness Courier, many locals expressed their opposition to the plans and opted out of choosing any of the sculptures put forward. On the day a total of 74 people filled in comment cards.
Dunnet-based artist Joanne Kaar branded the event as "pointless" and "completely shambolic," while architect Lynn Leet said she felt the illustrations on view "showed little connection with the locations".
The council announced earlier this week that two of the designs had been selected for the environmental improvement works in the Dunnet area following what it claimed was a successful and well attended public drop-in session.
The final designs were firmed up after the the comment cards and results were scrutinised and local councillors consulted.
The sculpture selected for Dunnet Bay is Helen Michie’s Whale Skull Bone. This work will represent the shape of a minke whale and be made with a metal framework inside a carved dense polystyrene material, coated in glass reinforced concrete. Glass mosaic tiles will then be applied to create the images of an Atlantic white-sided dolphin, a short beaked common dolphin and a fin whale.
At Dunnet Head, the sculpture will be David Annand’s Radar Gull Waves. This will be a three metre steel sculpture which references a radar screen while introducing semi-abstract elements to echo the waves in the sea and the wings of a seagull. This work will have a three-dimensional aspect and could also have appropriate local words digitally bead blasted onto the surface.
The designs elicted a mixed response from members of North of Scotland Newspapers’ readers’ panel. While happy with the first design, the whale, Sheena Millington is annoyed by the second selection, stating: "The fact that it will be placed in a very prominent position means that for me it should shout Caithness.
"If it is not obvious what the artwork means or represents, then it should at least be using local material, the very famous stone from this area.
"Art should evoke a feeling and if the feeling is anger or annoyance in a setting that should showcase the beauty and serenity of the area, then its not doing its job."
Stella Jones feels both sculptures were both "appropriate and beautiful". She said: "They will undoubtedly be an asset to the area and an attraction for tourists and local people, they are symbolic representations of the area’s history and reflect the stunning natural landscape and its wildlife."
She added: "All art is controversial, that is part of its beauty, embrace it, enjoy it and create it, perhaps an equivalent of the ‘Angel of the North’ to welcome us into the county could be the next art project."
Colin Richard said: "I believe that any structure that enhances the look of a tourist attraction is a benefit.
"Of late we seem to be only erecting structures that detract from the scenery of Caithness i.e. wind turbines, so it’s good to see something artistic getting space.
"I say make them bigger, like the ‘Angel of the North’ in Tyne and Wear. Give every ship passing Dunnet Head a landmark to take note of. Gets my ‘Yes’ vote."
Marjorie Mcdermid believes the sculptures will blight the landscape.
She said: "Dunnet Bay and Dunnet Head do not need enhanced. Their natural beauty speaks for itself. These monstrosities are nearly as bad as the obscene windmills all over our county and shortly to be all over our coastline."
Liz Rolling has the polar opposite view.
"I find both sculptures pleasing to the eye and they both seem to have relevance to the places where they are to be installed," she said.
"I am somewhat concerned that they will not be given the sort of publicity that would attract other than locals to go and view them which would be a shame as the county needs as much exposure as possible for the right reasons."
