Society seeks backing for plinth on King's Esplanade in Brighton (From The Argus)

Society seeks backing for plinth on King's Esplanade in Brighton

4:00pm Saturday 5th January 2013 in News

MP Mike Weatherley is behind the plinth plan

A plinth displaying the best of public sculpture has received the backing of council officials and an MP.

Hove Civic Society has requested landowner’s consent from Brighton and Hove City Council for a seafront plinth that will display a series of temporary sculptures and changing art installations.

It is hoping to install the plinth on King’s Esplanade, opposite the statue of Queen Victoria at the south end of Grand Avenue.

The proposed plinth would be 2.5m high, 2.5m wide and 2.25m long, made of Roman stone and would cost £50,000.

The society is looking to raise the money for the plinth through corporate fundraising, arts charities and funds, as well as reviving the Victorian tradition of public subscription art.

It is seeking to make links with the CASS Sculpture Foundation in Chichester and the Henry Moore Foundation to help supply suitable works of art.

The proposal has also been backed by a number of art groups, including Brighton Festival, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and Same Sky.

Artworks would be illuminated at night by a series of spotlights.

The project would emulate the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, which has provided a temporary display of work for top artists, including Anthony Gormley and Marc Quinn Council officers have advised councillors to give the plans the go ahead while Hove MP Mike Weatherley has said the plinth would create “a strong sense of civic pride”.

He added: “A prominent public space for sculpted work to be displayed is an excellent idea as Hove has a fantastic array of artistic talent.”

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chair of the economic development and culture committee, said: “If the initiative is approved the seafront plinth will become a cultural focal point for Hove and continue the long tradition of statues and monuments in the city.”

A decision will be made at a committee meeting on Thursday.