The Installation has begun!
16th April 2010
Yesterday the 16 ton Oculus Block was stood upright with the help of two large cranes and gently eased into place by hydraulic heavy lifting equipment. The sculpture will be the only work in the first room of Yorkshire Sculpture Park's Underground Gallery where it was placed yesterdey, precisely in the centre of the space.
Two cranes get into position to lift 'Oculus Block' upright before it can be manouvered slowly into the first room at the Underground Gallery.
Almost there - gently does it.....
The Oculus Block is the result of four Eucalyptus trees fusing together as they grew in California. Eucalyptus is a tree with wood that is one of the densest on Earth. Hence its great weight and the need for specialist lifting equipment and crew.
The work being lowered gently into position by very noisy hydraulic equipment. The shape, the presence of this sculpture fills the whole space. Walking into this room during the exhibition is going to be a wonderful experience. Awesome is a word I can see a lot of people using.
Also See -
David Nash profile
Yorkshire Sculpture Park group profile
Oculus Block (Work in Progress) video
Wooden Boulder and Ash Dome video
Husks (Work in Progress) video
Making Steps and Cutting Out the Eye news item
Steps in the right direction news item
In search of the Red Column news item
Wrapped up and ready to go news item
A chance to look around the park Pete Telfer's ArtLog
Sawdust and Snow Pete Telfer's ArtLog
A weekly dose of Nash Erin Rickard's ArtLog
External Web sites -
www.ysp.co.uk Yorkshire Sculpture Park
www.allelys.co.uk Specialist haulage and lifting.
by Sean Puleston on April 17th, 2010