LUNA PARK |VIRTUAL EVENT | ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION
A case study for public art in the 21st Century
10 years ago, Chapter Arts Centre commissioned Luna Park – a 16-metre tall sculpture of an Ultrasaurus by artist-duo Heather & Ivan Morison.
Inspired by the iconic roadside dinosaur sculptures of America, the original Luna Park was installed on 31 July 2010 on Southsea Common and was visited, photographed, climbed on and enjoyed by thousands of people until it unexpectedly burnt down on 1 October. The sculpture had been due to travel to Cardiff as part of a touring partnership between Chapter, Firstsite and Aspex.
To mark ten years since Luna Park, artists Heather and Ivan Morison join Hannah Firth, Director of Programme at Chapter, and Joanne Bushnell, Director of Aspex, to discuss the original project, it’s new iteration in Virtual Reality and plans for a permanent tribute to be installed in Portsmouth next year.
Mindful of recent debate about who chooses sculptures and statues in public space, the conversation will consider the impact of a temporary work like Luna Park, and how ten years on from a commission led by Chapter, the Ultrasaurus sculpture is now firmly held by the people of Portsmouth as part of their city’s heritage.
The virtual event will take place on Sunday 2 August, 7pm. It’s free to attend and advance booking is essential. To book your place, please visit chapter.org or head direct to this Eventbrite link: here
For more information about visit their website here:
Words: Jasper Haze
