Artist tells of giant town centre dream
1:14pm Sunday 27th April 2008
Comments (48)
A LOCAL artist has come up with a solution to the canal debate - build a giant white horse over Swindon instead.
But this is no joke for Gordon Dickinson, of Pavenhill, Purton, who believes that his sculpture of the Uffington White Horse could offer a cheap alternative and put Swindon on the map.
He said: "I'm not against the canal, but I want to see something in my lifetime.
"We want to do something that no one has seen before, something completely unique.
"This will have the wow factor for certain and I would be interested to see what the public think."
The prototype Gordon displayed yesterday is made up of 13 steel pieces that, when looked at from the right angle, make up the image of the famous white horse near The Ridgeway.
Gordon's plan for the town would be to build a giant version that would sit on poles so that it was higher than the David Murray John tower, which is 270ft tall, in the town centre.
He said: "Everybody loves the White Horse, but you cannot really see it from any angle even if you go right up there.
"With the sculpture you'd see a lot of poles but as you approach it would become a horse."
"As you walk around the thing it looks like the pieces are moving into place like the Channel Four adverts."
The steel pieces would be covered with luminous paint to absorb sunlight during the day then glow and fade out during the night.
"As you are driving down the motorway at night you would see this great horse leaping over the town," he said.
He has anticipated his idea will be as controversial as the canal, but argues the Angel Of The North statue in Gateshead was greeted with scepticism, but is now a major attraction.
"I tend to say what I think," he said.
"My thoughts don't make everybody happy all the time, but we've all got our opinions and stuff and I put mine out there through my art."
With the canal project predicted to cost more than £52m, Gordon believes that his less costly idea would be more original and could rival Antony Gormely's Angel Of The North, which cost about £1m.
The artist's original 5ft-high sculpture was commissioned by Rowde CE Primary School, in Devizes, but is the product of three years' work and research in the artist's spare time.
Gordon argues his idea would be in line with a growing cultural emphasis in Swindon, but also believes whatever does eventually go ahead must have public support.
He has put a video on the YouTube website entitled horse idea under the username gorgeous gordon to show people just what the structure is like.
He added: "All artists want to leave a mark - they want to be remembered for something good. That would be my dream and it's not a joke one either."
To find out more about Gordon's company visit www.noaddedsugar.org and to see more of Gordon's artwork go to www.gordondickinson.co.uk.
Your Say YourThis Is Wiltshire
Terence, Swindon says...
3:18pm Sun 27 Apr 08
H, Up the Hill says...
3:42pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Ankh, Morpork says...
3:47pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Captain T, Swindon says...
3:49pm Sun 27 Apr 08
NO!
WTF?, Swindon says...
5:49pm Sun 27 Apr 08
That's not been done before has it.
Nutter.
Sara, Oxfordshire says...
6:03pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Terence, Swindon says...
7:29pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Sara, Oxfordshire says...
7:50pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
9:24pm Sun 27 Apr 08
neilswindonuk, Swindon says...
9:57pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Swindon needs a decent landmark, that does not consist of either an office building, a murky polluted canal or a communal area for chavs.
Swindon is a business town, not a village. It should have a modern, futuristic centre piece. Cheltenham has the wishing clock. Southampton has the Spinnaker tower and what do we have, the Brunel statue!! We need something that celebrates Swindon's economy, and sets it apart from every other dull British town. Something different but not embarrassing. Why can't an architect be employed to produce something different? Perhaps something that lights up spectacularly at night. Let's face it, all we are famous for is the 'Magic Roundabout'.
neilswindonuk, Swindon says...
9:59pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Jason, says...
10:21pm Sun 27 Apr 08
gordon, purton says...
10:59pm Sun 27 Apr 08
7ft ....... don't believe everything you read in the papers.
architects have been employed.
my horse does light up spectacularly at night.
if moaning was an olympic sport, the british team would be made up mainly of swindon people, i could be the captain, or maybe neil, or terrence.
this is not a crackpot scheme for self publicity. i have worked on and researched this idea for three years. maybe the town placement isn't a popular idea, then place it in the hills running beside the M4.
We need to make a unique monumental contemporary statement, as gateshead did, with the Angel.
if wishing for a more positive cultural identity for my home town makes me a nutter, then I'm a nutter.
If you don't wish to spend time to, at least, think about it and throw it out the window, then on your heads be it.
sorry about the hair in the photo ... the wind must have caught it and made me look like a young garry glitter.
Sara, Oxfordshire says...
11:03pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Jason, says...
11:10pm Sun 27 Apr 08
I would like a canal to return to Swindon, but not on it's proposed route. A horse is somewhat more realistic, but I think my original suggestion, of just the rear end, with videos, would be more appropriate for the current manner in which the town is "developing"
neilswindonuk, Swindon says...
11:45pm Sun 27 Apr 08
gordon wrote:The idea to have it on hills beside the M4 does sound good. I think your work is great, and should be implemented. However the placement of it needs careful consideration. Good luck with it.
gosh, it's really hard living as an artist in swindon.
7ft ....... don't believe everything you read in the papers.
architects have been employed.
my horse does light up spectacularly at night.
if moaning was an olympic sport, the british team would be made up mainly of swindon people, i could be the captain, or maybe neil, or terrence.
this is not a crackpot scheme for self publicity. i have worked on and researched this idea for three years. maybe the town placement isn't a popular idea, then place it in the hills running beside the M4.
We need to make a unique monumental contemporary statement, as gateshead did, with the Angel.
if wishing for a more positive cultural identity for my home town makes me a nutter, then I'm a nutter.
If you don't wish to spend time to, at least, think about it and throw it out the window, then on your heads be it.
sorry about the hair in the photo ... the wind must have caught it and made me look like a young garry glitter.
I agree with you that we do need a 'unique monumental contemporary statement' but perhaps we need more than your White Horse to encapsulate Swindon as an entity and define what the town is about? We are a modern, thriving town with low unemployment and excellent companies based here. We need some more exciting things desperately, like the Wharf Green development (Giant screen and attractive trees, lights etc). Something people can gawp at and actually take photographs of.
gordon, purton says...
11:48pm Sun 27 Apr 08
i would like to thank those of you who could understand the concept and offer positive constructive criticism.
swindon patriot, swindon says...
12:18am Mon 28 Apr 08
gordon, purton says...
12:29am Mon 28 Apr 08
fairygodmouse, Australia says...
12:41am Mon 28 Apr 08
A 270ft sculpture of his hair might be good too.
gordon, purton says...
1:02am Mon 28 Apr 08
It will give you a clearer understanding of the idea.
Go on to you tube and search horse idea.
good morning trev.
Tony Hillier, Old Walcot says...
8:53am Mon 28 Apr 08
steeped in past success
white horse strides towards its future
as Swindon does the same
Uffington seen from Murray John
Wind Turbines seen near Faringdon
art now at the heart of Swindon
firm with its economic engine
Civic and Mini drive the town
while round the next bend, reaching daring heights
dreamlike strides white horse
white horse of Mannington
at the heart of the Swindon Gymkhana
Tony Hillier, jockeying for position !
Al Smith, Swindon, UK says...
9:16am Mon 28 Apr 08
Tobz, says...
9:16am Mon 28 Apr 08
I've an idea for a massive art installation in swindon: Why not place a massive 35 square meter television in the heart of a run down area next to a fast food outlet and within stumbling / bottle throwing distance of the main location of a dozen lager-pubs? Surround the area with cctv, and we can sell the entertaining activities of our finest nocturnal ambassadors to Channel 5! Not only will this intsallation provide a powerful statement on the aspirations, imagination and interests of our population, but the revenue from the footage will earn valuable income for the town! We could even provide them with a water feature to play in!!!
Lanky, Swindon says...
9:24am Mon 28 Apr 08
I personally feel it is a great idea, and would very much enjoy driving down the motorway into Swindon waiting to get that split second view of the completed gee gee. And instead of the negative views above of the monstrosity of a wrong view outside your bedroom window .what if you had the perfect view of it from your bedroom window?!
steve-o, Swindon says...
10:10am Mon 28 Apr 08
Tobz, says...
10:53am Mon 28 Apr 08
On the Adver poll, where is the option, none of these stupid ideas???
Filed under 'steve-o' ...
;-)
angry monkey, Swindon says...
11:41am Mon 28 Apr 08
It would be improved if the structure was an enourmous pig being run over by brunel in a train though to celebrate the history of Swinetown.
I'm off to the shed to make my prototype.
angel of the south, swindon says...
12:16pm Mon 28 Apr 08
I would certainly drive out of my way to see it.
this is a unique idea, gordon is a man with vision.
Terence, Swindon says...
1:14pm Mon 28 Apr 08
The last thing we need on the M4 is cars doing 70mph and all the drivers looking out of the window to catch that magic moment.
Iffyo, gillingham says...
1:25pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Iffyo, gillingham says...
1:27pm Mon 28 Apr 08
gordon, purton says...
1:32pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Terence wrote:the fact that it is an ancient idea that is still in use, means it works.
Lanky, noone is missing the point you describe, parts slowly coming together in such a way to make the whole is an ancient idea, and although interesting for 8yr olds learning about perspective I do not think it is appropriate for a landmark.
The last thing we need on the M4 is cars doing 70mph and all the drivers looking out of the window to catch that magic moment.
what's wrong with young people learning about perspective?
it gives the idea another function.
What are the figures relating to accidents in Gateshead attributed to the angel of the north causing a distraction for careless drivers?
gordon, purton says...
1:38pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Terence wrote:the fact that it is an ancient idea that is still in use, means it works.
Lanky, noone is missing the point you describe, parts slowly coming together in such a way to make the whole is an ancient idea, and although interesting for 8yr olds learning about perspective I do not think it is appropriate for a landmark.
The last thing we need on the M4 is cars doing 70mph and all the drivers looking out of the window to catch that magic moment.
what's wrong with young people learning about perspective?
it gives the idea another function.
What are the figures relating to accidents in Gateshead attributed to the angel of the north causing a distraction for careless drivers?
SHEEPHEAD, SWINDON says...
2:42pm Mon 28 Apr 08
SHEEPHEAD, SWINDON says...
3:04pm Mon 28 Apr 08
steve-o, Swindon says...
3:17pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Tobz wrote:AH Tobz we now know your real name then!
On the Adver poll, where is the option, none of these stupid ideas???Filed under 'steve-o' ... ;-)
sirdave, Rowde Primary school says...
4:37pm Mon 28 Apr 08
sirdave, Rowde Primary school says...
4:40pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Jason, says...
7:02pm Mon 28 Apr 08
It could have figures of Zebedee, Florence< Dylan, Dougal, Brian, etc
Jess, swindon says...
11:35pm Mon 28 Apr 08
gordon, purton says...
12:05am Tue 29 Apr 08
gordon, purton says...
12:06am Tue 29 Apr 08
Terence, Swindon says...
6:27am Tue 29 Apr 08
Jess wrote:Yes, a beautiful contemporary sculpture would be good, but not this. It would be gaudy and lower the tone of Swindon from its present level, wherever that is.
I think this a fantastic idea, a beautiful contemporary sculpture would do a lot for Swindon. Gordon must be a genius! good luck with it x
Gordon, of course the idea still works, but it works on any scale and so it is not necessary to build an enormous one that glows in the dark. I think your work for the school is very nice and the scale fitting.
gordon, purton says...
2:57pm Tue 29 Apr 08
i mentioned earlier "don't believe all you read in the papers"
out of ten printed comments, one was mine and 8 out of the remaining nine were negative.
how does that reflect the 65% to 35% in favour of my idea?
Al Smith, Swindon, UK says...
4:40pm Tue 29 Apr 08
That's why there's another poll, they're hoping the canal will win (after it came 3rd to a music venue and better shopping centre).
To be honest I expect there to be a poll next week on whether Swindonians would prefer to have a canal or the plague (and the canal would still lose :D ;) )
Brendan Hamley, Swindon says...
11:43pm Tue 29 Apr 08
I love the idea of a monumental sculpture like this above the downs reinforcing this idea. People would look forward to seeing this and talk about it as they passed through.
Artist Gordon Dickinson with his prototype White Horse. He would like to see a giant version of it dominating the town centre
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Captain Sensible, Near Swindon says...
2:07pm Sun 27 Apr 08