St Helens Borough’s award-winning Dream sculpture turns 10 years old this summer, and to celebrate this milestone Spanish artist and creator of Dream Jaume Plensa, will visit the sculpture as part of an evening of community-focused cultural events.
In 2007, working closely with a group of local ex-miners, Jaume was commissioned to create a new work on the landmark site of the former Sutton Manor Colliery, as part of the Big Art Project, a major national public art initiative linked to Channel 4.
Unveiled in spring 2009, Dream consists of an elongated white structure 20 metres (66ft) tall, weighing 500 tons, carved to resemble the head and neck of a young woman with her eyes closed in meditation, dreaming of a better future for St Helens. The structure is coated in white Spanish dolomite, as a contrast to the coal which used to be mined there.
Jaume will speak at both Decade of Dream events on Friday 31 May, which begins with a ticketed event at Chester Lane Library at 5:45pm (book tickets online at www.culturalhubs.eventbrite.co.uk), before the main public celebrations get underway at the Dream sculpture from 7pm-10:15pm. Tickets are not required for this, just turn up with family and friends.
Chester Lane Library will host an exhibition of mining memorabilia, artworks, and a photo gallery of Dream and the Sutton Manor Colliery site, with snacks and drinks provided.
Events at Dream feature a full programme of entertainment including:
7pm – Free Yoga session with Julie Doctoryoga
7:45pm – MD dance (Britain’s Got Talent)
8pm – Brian Salkeld reads the poem ‘Memories’ (as featured on C4 Three Minute Wonder)
8:05pm – Tom Loughlin (classical tenor vocalist)
8:30pm – Rick Ashcroft (Britain’s Got Talent)
9pm – Multi Faith service and blessing
9:15pm – Surprise finale
In the meantime, relive the Channel 4 television series about the inception and creation of Dream and watch Gary reflect on the project.
Dream St.Helens – Big Art from dream sthelens on Vimeo.
Gary Conley from Dream on Vimeo.
For more information about Dream, tours and the celebration events, contact Gary Conley by email via garyconley@sthelens.gov.uk
