The Coldstones Cut by Andrew Sabin – Opens 17 Sept

The Coldstones Cut by Andrew Sabin

The Coldstones Cut by Andrew Sabin.

The Coldstones Cut is a piece of public art on a monumental scale.

Created by the artist Andrew Sabin as a sculptural response to the Coldstones Quarry at Pateley Bridge, the sculpture will function as an array of platforms from which visitors can view both the spectacular quarry hole and limestone quarrying operation, and the landscape of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty and beyond. The sculpture will also function as an interpretive medium for the surrounding landscape, its industrial heritage and its relationship with the quarry.

The Coldstones Cut combines the curious conventions of a contemporary streetscape with the brute impressiveness of ancient stone block constructions. Perched at a height of 1375 feet above sea level, it can be freely explored by visitors who can walk the street and the various winding paths within and experience the extraordinary vistas which the platforms expose.

The Coldstones Cut will be opened  by Penelope Curtis, Director of Tate Britain, and then open to the public from 17th September. The work can be accessed from the car park at the Toft Gate Lime Kiln off the B6265 between Pateley Bridge and Greenhow Hill. Coldstone Quarry, Nidderdale, North Yorkshire.

http://www.andrewsabin.org/current/

http://bewerley-pc.org.uk/coldstones/

The Coldstone Cut by Andrew Sabin - Photo by Paul Harris

The history of the sculpture

Coldstones Quarry, situated on Greenhow Hill is one of the highest quarries in England. Several small limestone quarries operated around Greenhow over the last two centuries and in the early 1900s the surrounding hills were dominated by stone quarries. Gradually these closed until Coldstones became the last working quarry in the area. Operated by Hanson, it provides aggregates and asphalt for major construction projects across the U.K.

Despite its size, the quarry is hidden from view, though visitors could access a simple viewing area above the quarry. In 2006, following changes to the quarry boundaries, it was decided to replace this facility with something more lasting and to provide a significant piece of public art which could add to the appeal and to the educational benefits of the site.

Nidderdale visual arts, a local voluntary arts group together with Hanson Aggregates which operates the quarry offered a design commission to Andrew Sabin. This design process took 3 years, requiring artistic and technical assessment about the site and construction methods. There was also a lengthy public consultation about the proposals which demonstrated large public support. Planning permission and funding was obtained in late 2009 and work commenced on site in March 2010.

The Coldstones Cut by Andrew Sabin - aerial photo by APS

Andrew Sabin, born in London in 1958. He studied at Chelsea College of Art (1979-1983) where he worked as a senior lecturer until 2006.

A pioneering experimental object maker until 1989, Sabin produced his first major installation for the Chisenhale Gallery in East London. This was followed in 1990 by the Sea of Sun installation, an important element in the inaugural exhibition of European sculpture at the Henry Moore Institute which subsequently travelled to museums in Lausanne and Lisbon. In 1997 he made the final part of his trilogy of installation, the Open Sea, at the Henry Moore Sculpture Studio in Halifax.

In 1998, combining extensive experience of the two poles of sculpture making (object and installation) Sabin devised the C-bin project and worked with fellow sculptor Stefan Shankland to realise it around the coastline of Europe. The success of this as an approach to sculpture in the public realm led to his appointment as lead artist in a series of large scale projects in both urban and rural contexts. Sabin was lead artist at the Horsebridge Development in Whitstable from 2001-3 and lead artist on the River Wandle Cycle Route from 2002-5. In 2006 he designed and built the infamous Calibrated Ramp for Bracknell Forest Council and as a result was appointed lead artist for ‘Art changes Bracknell’ in the following year. Since 2008 he has worked on the Coldstones Cut and is currently engaged in preparing his first collection of new objects for 20 years.

Andrew Sabin lives and works in Camden alongside his wife, the sculptor Laura Ford, and their three children.

The Coldstones Cut would not have been possible without the funding and support provided by a range of organisations.

Major funders of the project are:

Natural England; Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund

The Arts Council of England – Yorkshire

Hanson Aggregates

Yorkshire Forward

Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme

Other organisations which have provided help and support are

Harrogate Borough Council

The Henry Moore Foundation

The University of Leeds – Yorkshire Quarry Arts Project

A collaborative project

A local partnership of organisations has led the project and has undertaken the public fundraising necessary to build the sculpture.

Hanson Aggregates is one of the largest suppliers of heavy building materials to the construction industry. The company is part of the Heidelberg Cement Group.

nidderdale visual arts is a community group formed in 2004 and has been involved in developing a higher profile for the visual arts in Nidderdale, proving new gallery spaces in Nidderdale, hosting educational courses, developing community activities and supporting both professional and amateur artists.

The Nidderdale Plus Partnership is a community regeneration partnership created in 2001 with help from local Councils and Yorkshire Forward and operated by local volunteers. Its purpose is to help to support economic and community development and to encourage local communities take greater ownership in shaping their future.