Installation to be unveiled at Giant’s Causeway as part of London 2012 Festival
A MAJOR display of art will be unveiled today at the Giant’s Causeway by an internationally acclaimed artist as part of the London 2012 Festival and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s ni2012: our time, our place campaign.
FLAGS, an installation by German artist Hans Peter Kuhn, will be embedded temporarily in the dramatic landscape of the Giant’s Causeway, from August 20 to November 4, creating a new visitor experience within this unique natural phenomenon.
Located just beyond the world famous Causeway stones, a series of flags will stretch along the length of the bay of Port Noffer. They will be randomly positioned along the trail and the banks of the cliff face, drawing on the natural power of the elements.
This will allow visitors to first view the natural beauty of the original site of the Giant’s Causeway then continue along the trail to discover another view, this time man made as Hans Peter Kuhn explains.
“For me this is an amazing opportunity to create an artwork which is driven by natural forces, blending into a delicate landscape of enormous beauty,” said Hans.
“It is especially exciting because the work is located next to a stunning world heritage site the monumentality of which was a consideration in my own conceptual approach to this commission,” he added.
Northern Ireland Tourist Board Chief Operating Officer Kathryn Thomson said:
“FLAGS is another example of how Northern Ireland is punching above its weight in terms of securing world class events. This is a chance to showcase the breathtaking North Coast, along a route that has been awarded the accolade of one of the world’s great road journeys. FLAGS will further showcase the new Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre as part of the ni2012: our time, our place programme.
“By linking in to the London 2012 Festival, we are continuing to show the world how much Northern Ireland has to offer and why ‘our place’ is a great tourism destination,” she said.
“The London 2012 Festival is a spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September, bringing together leading artists across the world with the very best from the UK”, added Kathryn.
The flags, red on one side and yellow on the other, will rotate freely in the wind. Depending on the strength and direction of the wind the viewer will see a flickering pattern of red and yellow set against the backdrop of this spectacular landscape, generating a strange form of semaphore transmitting nature’s message. FLAGS emanates a quiet, contemplative power, perfectly compatible with the surrounding landscape.
Ruth Mackenzie, Director of London 2012 Festival and Cultural Olympiad, said:
“Hans Peter Kuhn is one of Europe’s most innovative artists. His ambitious FLAGS project for County Antrim’s Giant’s Causeway will allow people to see this dramatic landscape in a new light.”
For further information on FLAGS and for a free parking voucher for those visiting the installation only, click on www.ni2012.com.