Arts / Could art sculptures attract unwanted attention from revellers?
SOME concerns have been raised that new art sculptures planned for the centre of Lerwick – and close to a pub – might be a “target for misdemeanours” by people out on the town at night.
Three sculptures are planned for the Living Lerwick and Shetland Arts project LOCUS, as well as another piece of public art near the Town Hall.
One sculpture is planned for outside Cee and Jays, while the others would be located near Boots and outside the RBS branch to form a public art trail. Some murals are also planned as part of the project.
At a meeting of Lerwick Community Council on Monday night, however, Damien Ristori said he had received some concern from members of the public that revellers may be inclined to clamber onto the sculptures for some boisterous fun once they are installed and the pubs are back open.
The piece of art planned for outside the sports shop Cee and Jays is a 1.7m tall sculpture designed by Kenny Hunter which focuses on the practice of gas extraction from below the seabed to the west of Shetland.
“Some folk thought the one outside Cee and Jays might be a liability, being near a pub,” Ristori said.
“It could be a target for misdemeanours.”
The community councillor said he had no real objections to the plans himself and was just passing on the representations, saying it was a possible “safety concern”.
“If that concerns have been raised to your good self we can pass that onto Living Lerwick,” chairman Jim Anderson said.
Shetland Arts exhibitions manager Jane Matthews said in response that “as with all installations of public art, location and siting was taken into consideration at the beginning of the project, and the necessary permissions and assessments will be in place”.
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