International artists develop an iconic contemporary Landmark at Scotland’s main border crossing

17th May 2010

Gretna Landmark is a multiple installation of art and design being created to celebrate an historic border, that between Scotland and England. In centuries past, this border was known as the ‘Debatable Lands’, but in the 21st century Gretna Landmark is proud to be creating an opportunity to explore the nature of national identity and boundaries at Scotland’s main border crossing. Currently the event of crossing the border into Scotland by road is unremarkable and travellers are often unaware that they have passed from one country into another.

The Gretna Landmark project is delighted to be working with two of the world’s most well respected artists working in the landscape, Charles Jencks and Andy Goldsworthy. Both artists have their home in Dumfries and Galloway.

Leading architectural theorist, designer and land artist, Charles Jencks will take on the role of creative director of the development of an iconic Landmark scheme adjacent to the M74 at Scotland’s border crossing. Charles said, “To be asked to get involved in something that goes to the heart of who are you - the questions of identity - is the most complex question an artist can be asked. It’s a great and worthy challenge.”

Internationally renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy has been commissioned to develop a complementary sculpture installation that will explore a twelve mile boundary line between Scotland and England. Part of this line is marked by the River Sark and a medieval linear earthwork, the Scots Dyke. “It has always astounded me how a line drawn on a map can have such a profound effect on the people who live either side of that line, so that differences can become intensified”, said Andy Goldsworthy.

Both projects will work in synergy and close association with a growing team of innovative designers and engineers. It is anticipated that the project will create a world class cultural destination and a worthy contemporary icon for Scotland, exploring national identity and borders.

The local community and Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association’s Public Art Manager have been working with local landowner, Alasdair Houston, and Dumfries and Galloway Council, to develop a vision and ambition for a spectacular contemporary Landmark at Gretna.
It is anticipated that Gretna Landmark has the potential to become a world class art destination which will help to reveal the unique nature of Dumfries and Galloway.
The quality and imagination of the installations will develop links with other important international cultural destinations in the north of England and south of Scotland.

Both artists are now working on the designs and it is hoped they will be ready to be launched at Gretna, Holyrood and Brussels early next year, with the iconic Landmark finally in place in time for the 2012 Olympics and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The Landmark project has strong support from the local community, Alasdair Houston, chairman of Gretna Green Group Ltd, the Duke of Buccleuch and, as well as film director Murray Grigor, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association.

At the top of the Charles Jencks’ large-scale landform-engineered design will be a kinetic optical moving structure, dubbed by Gretna Landmark project ‘The Great Unknown’, that must engage with the project themes. The Gretna Landmark Trust are seeking interest from creative individuals or creative teams who feel they have the experience, imagination and problem solving skills to work with Charles to deliver ‘The Great Unknown’.

Investment in the design stages has come from Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway and the Nuclear Decommissioning Fund. The main developer is Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association. A Trust with charitable status is now being formed to seek the necessary 2 million pounds to complete the project. This appeal for investment, and the search for an inventor to work with Charles on the ‘Great Unknown’, the kinetic/optical structure, has just been launched globally via a new website: www.gretnalandmark.com .

Public Art Manager for Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association, Dr Jan Hogarth said, “It’s taken a long time to get to this stage, but we’re absolutely delighted to get Charles and Andy on board. We believe we can create a landmark at Gretna that will bring cultural visitors from all over the world. The new website, www.gretnalandmark.com is full of interviews with all the people who’ve made things happen so far – it tells the ongoing story of the Landmark. Its role is also to tender the opportunities and to try and attract investment for the construction phase of the project.”