It was inspiring to see Tout quarry come to life on the PSQT stand at Docklands Excel Centre Alongside traditional carving on display on Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust’s stand at the Stone & Surfaces Show (where visitors were encouraged to engage with the unique qualities of Portland stone) an inspirational collaborative installation was unveiled entitled:
The Arch - Returned, Reconstructed, Reimagined.
Screenshot
In line with PSQT’s inter-disciplinary model of collaborative sharing of knowledge and skills (as exemplified in their logo above) the Living Land Archive, the return of the Fleet Street Archway and its positioning in Tout Quarry to complete the energetic landscape were revealed. Howard’s light projection was mapped onto a 3D model: layers of ply revealing the contours of the Tout Quarry landscape which had been painstakingly developed by three MA architecture students (Herbie, George and Luke) from 3 different universities The resulting installation was successful on many levels. As well as showing the power of collaboration and how the combination brings in a new dimension and vibrant energy which engages viewers, it allows the telling of multiple layers of narrative, and poses question to which PSQT are seeking answers with input from visitors to the show. These involve the sustainable use of natural resources, custodianship of the land and what legacy our civilisation wants to leave for future generations. Photographic mock-ups were also created by Eddie from a fourth university, re-imagining of this limestone portal from Portland. In order to gather ideas for the re-erection of this “portal to time and space”.
There was much interest at the show for more universities to work with PSQT in this interdisciplinary way. Both PSQT and Gatekeeper Trust have an educational remit and GKT is committed to collaborating with PSQT to take this collaborative approach forward. From a Gatekeeper Trust perspective, the trustees are keen to see the two portals (the arch at the lower end of the landscape system and the Gatekeeper Stone as upper portal entry) with their accompanying outdoor learning spaces in place as soon as is practicable. Then the landscape system will be regenerated and pass on its wisdom to those who tune in to this landscape temple.
Angela Shaw
Gatekeeper Trustee