David Kemp – Beacon Crag – 1984
Material: Wood, Stone, Metal
Trail: High Bowkerstead Trail
Theme: Music
Form: Representational – Organ
Maps Featured on: 1984 – 1995 & 1998
Status: In situ, damaged, Sept 17
Quote from the artist – “Forest Fugue is situated in one of the long aisles, made by timber thinning operations in a spruce plantation. The aisle is reminiscent of a cathedral. The sculpture represents an organ, & plays a silent requiem for the stumps.”
Photograph taken by Robzet approximately 1996
Made out of dry stone wall for the organ and long wooden posts for the pipes. It is a tall sculpture, large enough for a person to sit on the seat and (pretend) to play the organ. It was last listed on the 1994/5 map. The trees were cut down around this time, and I assume they didn’t want people to access it while logging operations were in place. It is positioned just across the path from Light Columns 2 & 3.
Photograph taken 2002 (approximately)
The sculpture remained however and I first saw it in around 2002 (above) when I noticed the organ pipes sticking up above the new growth of conifer trees. At this point it was still almost intact, with a clear path to it where the trees hadn’t been replanted. It was briefly re listed on the 1998 map (which I only acquired in 2017).
Since the mid 00s the new trees have been too dense to gain access to the sculpture. In 2017 I decided to push my way through. The trees are now big enough you can get under them (it’s not easy I don’t recommend it). Unfortunately time has taken its toll. It has now faced the brunt of weather and trees growing up around it. The pipes have all fallen down and the seat has gone but the stone base remains.
Photograph taken September 2017
Music Inspired by this sculpture
Forest Fugue by Stephen Godsall
“This is not meant to be a classical fugue, it’s supposed to conjure up the resonances and folklore of woodland. And I hope it inspires a few more people to visit these atmospheric sculptures.”
Artist’s other work in Grizedale –
Scale Green Birdman – 1981
The Heron – 1981
Rook Crossing – 1981
Deer Hunter – 1982
The Woodwinders – 1984
Ancient Forester 1 – 1987
Ancient Forester 2 – 1995
Exhibition – 1984
Artist’s Website: www.davidkemp.uk.com
Page last updated April 2020
Grizedale Forest Sculpture An Unofficial Archive 