Vandalism for art's sake.

If you google, 'Armitage Ilkley moor', you will find numerous links telling us that some arty types are landing a huge grant to have a poem by Simon Armitage, 'incised into the stones' at the cow and calf rocks! Seemingly, this action hopes to inspire young people across the country to engage in such activity too. I find the whole thing to be entirely irresponsible. How about you?

erraticdave wrote:If you google, 'Armitage Ilkley moor', you will find numerous links telling us that some arty types are landing a huge grant to have a poem by Simon Armitage, 'incised into the stones' at the cow and calf rocks! Seemingly, this action hopes to inspire young people across the country to engage in such activity too. I find the whole thing to be entirely irresponsible. How about you?

Hmmmm.... I need to find out more about this. If they're gonna be carving into the rocks themselves, they're gonna get some trouble. If they end up winning and carving onto the rocks anyway, I'll carve over the top of what they've done. Simple as. Let's find out more first though.

Cheers - Paul

Just sent a quick email in response to the story printed in Ilkley Gazette, here:

http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/news_local/4556290.__500_000_epic_Ilkley_Moor_poetry_bid_on_Arts_Council_shortlist/#show

Let's see what comes back.

Cheers - Paul

I can't see this getting the go ahead from Bradford Council, who are already concerned by the amount of modern graffiti.

Rockrich wrote:I can't see this getting the go ahead from Bradford Council, who are already concerned by the amount of modern graffiti.

So they say! I don't really think the council give a toss though. Outta sight, outta mind is what they seem to hope! But I can't see our poet-friends gerrin their way, etching on the side of Cow & Calf. The best place for that sorta stuff is in one of the parks, official buildings or other towny-tourist spots. Let's see.

I just recieved the following email
Dear David,

Below is a message from Simon Armitage for you.

Best, Charlotte



Hello David



Thanks for your email. Just to assure you that there is no plan to carve poetry onto the rocks on Ilkley Moor. The project has changed direction since those first notions, and if you would like clarification on this, Rachel Feldberg at the Ilkley Literature Festival would be pleased to discuss it with you, I'm sure.



Best



Simon Armitage

For once, and I know it's rare, I think having a go at the council did have some effect. I know some councillors got straight on to the organisers of the project, and with councillors responding with comments like 'no way' and 'over my dead body', I think the moor and it's ancient sites are safe. From artists at least.
What will they think of next? (rhetorical question)
Thanks to all concerned.
Dave

Cow and Calf to inspire Olympics arts project
10:20pm Monday 17th August 2009

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By Jim Greenhalf »


A proposed £500,000 project will involve writing and performing poems inspired by Ilkley’s Cow and Calf rocks – but the historic landscape will not be damaged.

Poet Simon Armitage and Ilkley Literature Festival organiser Rachel Feldberg have been shortlisted by Arts Council England to work with a sculptor to create an epic poem inspired by Ilkley Moor and its history.

Rachel Feldberg said: “Simon and I are really thrilled for Ilkley and for Bradford that our project was short-listed. We would love to win it for Bradford.

“But we want to emphasise that we do not want to do anything in any way that will upset anyone or damage the moors.

“If we could find some way of inscribing Simon’s poem into rocks that would be a dream; but you have to work within the parameters you’re given. We are in talks with Bradford Council.

“We might be able to project something on to the rocks and put on a show in the quarry behind the Cow and Calf.”

The Cow and Calf rocks are covered in graffiti at a lower level.

It is envisaged that communities and young people across Yorkshire will work with poets, calligraphers and stonemasons to create their own linked poems, reflecting the relationship between people and places.

These works could then be cut into special paving stones in the region’s streets and parks.

Arts Council England is offering 12 regional commissions worth a total of £6 million for art works to mark the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Each shortlisted project gets £5,000 development money. The final presentation takes place at the end of September and the Arts Council makes its decisions in early October.

What has become clear to me is that this 'arts' group, saw the loot available, and whacked in a whacky idea that got them shortlisted, pocketing a five grand development grant; without actually engaging in proper consultation with Bradford Council. They intimated in their press releases, and probably their submission that they were 'in talks' with Bradford Council, and confident of support. Ok... did I tell you I'm 'in talks' with Gordon Brown? I shout 'drop dead', every time I see his mangled mug on the telly. In fact as soon as they did make contact with Bradford Council, they were told in no uncertain terms that any carving on the moor was a no, no. This ban on carving the moor has firm cross party support. Bradford Council have no say in who gets the big money in the end. But with Councillors of all parties making some uncomplimentary remarks about the whole idea, like 'barmy' and 'bizzare', and very evidently somewhat irate at even the suggestion of taking chisels to the stones, I am assured that the moor rocks are safe from the grantiose. (nice wordsmithery don't ya' think?) Whatever the organisers 'dream'. 'Tread softly because you tread on my dreams'. Now there was a poet, indeed. I can hear a calorifically challenged female, tuning up for a yodel on this one.