Location
The square Old Meldrum
Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire
Date
2011
Description
A sculpture consisting of three large spheres of granite, gneiss and gabbro; sourced from Aberdeenshire quarries. Carved in designs based on the enigmatic neolithic stone balls known as 'petrospheres' that are estimated to have been produced between 5,000 and 2,000 B. C. These neolithic objects, of hand holding size, and of unknown function are peculiar to Scotland (except for 1 Irish and 4 Northern English finds) and have been found in considerable number particularly in the North-east, currently 425 known . They are decorated with varied numbers of knobs or more precisely convex discs anything from 3 to 160. Perhaps the best known because one of the most highly decorated is the Towie Ball. See external link to NMS
Related Information
In 2009 Oldmeldrum successfully bid for a share of the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
The proposal included a creative public art project that would bring together a community in celebration of their home town, its history and aspirations for the future.
Artist Janet McEwan was selected by members of the Town Centre Working Group and Community Council for this commission. A graduate in sculpture and ceramics from Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, and a resident in Deeside for 15 years, Janet had considerable experience of working as an artist in the public realm, across the country.
Over a number of months she invited local people to share their knowledge, perceptions and feelings about Oldmeldrum through conversations, events and interventions. Many people contributed their time, ideas and support to developing the work, helping to make the project truly relevant to the town.
Drawing from this wealth of information, Janet developed ideas for a substantial artwork that linked local history, geology and industry, and the new landscaping of the square. The final piece aims to reflect the character and aspirations of the town, past, present and future.
Janet said, "While my name alone may be inscribed beside the artwork 'The Eternal Present', on the square, it should really be one of a very long list of authors; crediting the many people who have contributed ideas, knowledge and skills towards the development of this artwork.
"This list should arguably include a mention for our long forgotten ancient predecessors, who many thousands of years ago carved the enchanting and mysterious small stone balls which inspired the design of three much larger petrospheres of 'The Eternal Present'.
"The new artwork draws on the forms of three stone balls in particular; the three recorded finds of ancient stone balls in the Oldmeldrum locale; two in Bourtie and one on Barra Hill, and is made from locally sourced stone; Gneiss, Granite and Gabbro, from three local quarries.
The stones were also carved locally; in Oldmeldrum, with the assistance and support of Fyfe Glenrock who have some of the best granite manufacturing facilities in the UK.
Era
2000s
Information Source
Aberdeenshire council arts officer and the artist.
Related Artefacts
Categories
Creators
- Fyfe Glenrock, Mason
- Janet Mc Ewan, Artist
External Links
- artists website
- site created by the artist to document the project
- artists blog documentation
- The Towie Ball
- Carved Stone Balls on Wikipedia
- Fyfe Glenrock website
Unavailable Data
- OS Map Reference
- Iconography
- Photographer
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