California Containers arrive in Yorkshire

10th December 2009

Back in October these sculptures were loaded into three large containers in the blistering California sunshine.

Today, in Yorkshire, the sun shone again as the sculptures were unloaded after their ocean voyage. But, somehow, I don't think it was as warm as the day they were loaded. It might have been a clear, blue sky day, but the sun clung to the horizon and didn't venture very far into the blue.

It took all of the daylight hours, from 8am to 4pm, to unload the containers.

The low sun cast shadows from tree branches accross the sculptures as they were hauled up and out of the containers.

For anyone interested in art trivia, it's estimated that this exhibition will weigh in excess of 60 tons.

David Nash will continue working on some of the sculptures, that he started in California, in situ at the YSP. There will also be a huge 'burn' in the spring as one of the sculptures is charred on site in front of one of the YSP galleries. That should be very spectacular, bearing in mind that the fire service had to be called out when a large sculpture was charred in Chicago. You will of course be able to see images of that event here on this web site.

David Nash

It's not everyday that you have to work out the best way to safely lift a 10 ton lump of wood. All in a days work at the YSP I should imagine.

Three huge logs that will create a sculptural space during the exhibition next year.

The 'Oculus Block' finally made it out of the containers as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Photographs David Nash and Pete Telfer

Pixel Foundry Artists Archive is following David Nash over the coming months to make the film that will accompany the exhibition that starts at the YSP at the end of May 2010. We hope that Culture Colony - Y Wladfa Newydd will be able to show some sneak previews from the film of the work, as it's being made in preparation for this very important exhibition.

Also See -

David Nash is shipping out News Item

David Nash's California Twmps Article

Big Wood, Big Saw News Item

Forms that Grow in the Night video

Updating the Family Tree video

David Nash at Eisteddfod Y Bala video

David Nash at the Eisteddfod news item

David Nash's 'Wooden Boulder' Rediscovered news item

David Nash in Mannheim, Germany news item

David Nash's Profile Page click here

David Nash's Gallery 'Evans Yard' with more photographs of this work.

Culture Colony - Y Wladfa Newydd David Nash Gallery

External Web Sites of interest -

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

1. by Sonja Benskin Mesher on December 11th, 2009

   wow!

2. by Erin Rickard on December 17th, 2009

   i agree, wow!
   The scorching performance / event / process sounds brilliant, cant wait to see the footage online.

3. by Pete Telfer on January 27th, 2010

   If you want to see the scorching event - book yourself on the Culture Colony trip - contact Culture Colony by using the message service (click on messages and write Culture Colony in the 'to' bar).