Gathering ideas for new art on banks of River Ness
A REPLACEMENT for the controversial tilting pier will be chosen by people living and working in Inverness.
Groups ranging from community councils to business owners and young people will have a chance to work with an artist and architect on a new “Gathering Place” on the banks of River Ness.
The plan for the moving bridge artwork was scrapped by Inverness councillors in July after a widespread public backlash.
To prevent another outcry, the Inverness City Arts working group will allow the public to submit ideas before a new structure is designed.
The new project must be a piece of art which attracts people to come together and enjoy the riverside, as part of the £757,000 River Connections improvement project.
Inverness city manager David Haas said a “co-production scheme” will be used to make sure members of the community have a say.
“There was a strong position taken around the previous project and we understand that,” he said.
“People react that way because they value the river and the space. We understand that the love people have for the riverside creates this passionate reaction.
“What we want to do is bring people in right from the start so that they feel properly engaged.
“That is a challenge for us and we need to respect and understand that and use it to develop a new project.”
An artist has yet to be chosen but Mr Haas has indicated his continued support for Sans Facon and KBHT Architects, the collaboration behind the tilting pier.
The ICArts group will also look at applicants who were shortlisted when choosing artists last time.
But he was quick to point out there is less money available for the new project, despite Creative Scotland and HIE both confirming their shares, totalling £371,000.
The rest will be funded through the Inverness Common Good Fund.
“I want to be clear that no extra money will be spent on this,” Mr Haas said.
“Some costs cannot be recovered but others will not have to be repeated, including certain sites which we surveyed last time.
“Common good and other budgets will not be paying more than was allocated. The cost of co-production and consultation will come out of the remaining budget.
“Depending on how we can use the previous work, it will be around £250,000. It is a significant drop but we are still able to deliver.”
Cathy Shankland, curator of the project and exhibitions manager at Inverness museum and art gallery, will use her experience to bring together the community and artist.
“We don’t have any preconceptions at all,” she said. “All the ideas will come from artists working with the community.
“Within the budget it could be anything, as long as the funders are on board. We need to have the community on side or there is no point.
“We did have community support last time, but it was quieter than the ones who were against it.”
And work for a second sculpture on the riverside is under way now that Creative Scotland and HIE have confirmed they will continue to fund the River Connections project.
As well as the tilting pier, plans were made for seating areas, a children’s water feature, a trail map and an interactive sculpture.
The sculpture of two standing stones will be built at Friars Shott and represents both sides of the river. It will be made with resin infused with bronze powder.
Project curator Cathy Shankland said: “I think it will look quite beautiful when it is finished. Resin is extremely hard-wearing so it will not require a lot of maintenance.”
The idea had been put on hold until funding was confirmed but it is thought work will start soon.
“Some of the seating is already in place and things are happening all the time,” Ms Shankland said.
“We are waiting on final approval for designs for others things, then they will be ready to go.”
A digital trail will be completed last as it will connect all the projects.
