A page of the worst “artworks” to have had the misfortune to be sited in Grizedale. I have given the more substantial “artworks” made during this time their own page. The rest which I definitely don’t want to give their own page are listed here:
1999
Within these four walls – Clare Goodwin (1999) Ridding Wood Trail
It was positioned near the start of the Ridding wood trail. A box in which the inside was painted. I don’t think it lasted very long, went prior to 2003 latest.
Also apparently created a Mown Grass Piece, presumably around the Ridding Wood as well.
Click image above to view in larger size
Artworks in image above going left to right:
Cat – Olaf Bruening (2002) Hawkshead Moor
High up on Hawkshead Moor. It appears multiple horizontal sicks attached to the tress, and an outline of a cat painted white. Decomissioned 2003 so only lasted a year.
Hot House – Jo Coupe (2002) Farra Grain
A greenhouse. Went to see Deer Hunter one day, it had gone, this was in it’s place.
Nub – Jonathan Griffin (2002) Lawsons Park
As far as I can tell this is just a plastic box. (Grizedale Arts were noticeably for their introduction of plastic into the forest.)
Neon Rustique – Steve Hollingsworth (2001) Lawson Park
“A large neon drawing mounted on a frame of unsawn wood. Like an advertising billboard for a simplistic and aspirational idea of landscape. Facing out across Coniston Water, it could be seen at night for many miles across the valley as a pinprick of blue light, and was eventually dismantled after complaints from local residents and visitors.” – Grizedale Arts Book
My Place – Tatsuo Inagati (2002) Visitor Centre
Plaques of short stories of people who lived and worked in the area.
Boatent – Justin Carter (2002) Goosey Foot Tarn
Inspired by Swallows & Amazons. it was a boat/tent that floated on one of the tarns at Moor Top. It lasted for part of a year in 2002.
Forest and Forester – Graham Fagen (2002) Lawson Park
A circle of planted Douglas Pines over by Lawsons park.
Photo left from Grizedale Archive, Right I took in 2019
Church in the Woods – A Mark Gubb (2003) Bogle Crag
This definitely isn’t a sculpture it was made for a horror film, I saw it, it was quickly damaged.
Pageant – Lorrice Douglas (2002) Goosey Foot Tarn
Still Image made from a film of the same name.
You make me feel mighty real – FAT (2002) Broad Piece
Quote from the artists: “You Make Me Feel Mighty Real is a summer house, built originally for English Heritage at Belsay Hall, Northumberland. The design is based on a Romanesque church. It is clad in thousands of metal discs which create a pixelated pattern. The discs move and catch the light in the wind creating a magical effect of rippling light. Inside are two seats from which to contemplate the forest which is visible from the window.”
My photo taken 2004
Just above the visitor centre, it lasted a couple of years. I remember it being vivid you could see it from the road, it didn’t exactly blend in. Visitors picked the sequins off as you can see above, removing the point of the artwork and revealing the awful plastic underneath. This got worse over time and presumable lead to it being removed quite quickly.
Hermit Hut – FAT & Graeme Roger (2002) Grizedale Beck
The hut was designed by architectural group FAT. “A BBQ shed sited in the forest and painted by Graeme himself with a mock-Tudor pattern that, when seen from a certain angle, spelt out the words ‘Fuck Off’” – Grizedale Arts Book
From Grizedale Arts book
Graeme Roger was meant to live as a hermit, “The terms of his engagement were drawn up in a seven year contract written by members of the local community who suggested tasks and conditions to abide by, including a vow of silence and abstinence from alcohol and cigarettes…. During his isolation he drank and smoked heavily. For these and many other misdemeanors (including once saying ‘Hello’) he was mercifully sacked by Grizedale after seven days.”
This reads to me like some stupid joke, how this was ever marked on the sculpture trail is beyond me. The fact they put a ‘Fuck off’ shed in a forest beloved by children also shows the (unwarranted!) distain they had for the visitors and locals at the time.
The hut subsequently went on tour with Grizesdale Arts and now resides at Lawson Park. It can clearly been seen from the footpath.
Red Curtain – Barnaby Hosking (2001) Bogle Crag
It was positioned on the Bogle crag trail. It is a red curtain. This was intended as a temporary piece, it lasted 2 years apparently.
Further Stuff:
Bread Oven – Terry Storry (2003) Ridding Wood Trail
Photo from Grizedale Archive
This was positioned on the Ridding wood trail, near the start. A small stone built oven. Accoriding to the Archive it was created for an event and was decommissioned in 2011.
Sign For Summerhill – Adam Chodzka (2003)
A sign at Summerhill guest house outside of Grizedale in Hawkshead Hill
Photograph Taken June 2019
The sign now hangs in Grizedale Arts office in Coniston.
An artwork created as part of ‘A Different Weekend’ event in 200
“A Grand National style steeplechase fence built by specialist craftstmen in the forest.” – From Grizedale Arts book
Left from GA book when new, right taken by Mike Kewley a little while later. It was positioned near the centre on the Millwood Trail.
Current Status: All removed, no remains.
Grizedale Forest Sculpture An Unofficial Archive 