Hove Plinth - a new site for public art

Aim

Hove Plinth will be a brand new cultural attraction that promises to bring inspiring public sculpture to the Brighton & Hove seafront

"It's a fantastic opportunity for any artist to put a work of art on a plinth, on the beach, with the sea as a backdrop - Venus de Milo would have given her right arm for that" Pierre Diamantopoulo, Sculptor

What we want to achieve

We want to create a seafront site for new sculpture by installing a beautiful new sculpture plinth on the King's Esplanade in Hove that will offer local people and visitors the chance to experience fantastic art in a wonderful seafront environment. This is a community project  initiated and managed by Hove Civic Society   and funded by private donations, grants and contributions in kind . We hope to bring wider audiences to art and spearhead a new era of public sculpture in our city.

The Hove Plinth will be used for changing displays of sculpture, inspired by the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. Uniquely, the Hove Plinth will be equipped with innovative digital technology to make viewing the sculptures an interactive experience.

Our aim is to inspire, delight and surprise. We have involved the community in the selection of the first sculptures to go on the plinth and the project has already won award for capturing the imagination of people in the city. 

Here are some of Hove Plinth supporters posing with our miniature model plinth:

 How it will work

Sculptures will be commissioned specifically for the plinth and also acquired through loans.  Major works will be displayed for up to 18 months and the site will also be provide a platform for short-term displays, performances and events in collaboration with local organisations and schools. 

Our long term ambition is that the sculptures remain in the city once they have been displayed on the plinth, creating a lasting legacy of public art - a city of sculpture.

In 2015 the public voted for their favourite sculptures from a competition shortlist following a national call to artists. These are the three chosen to be the first sculptures to appear on Hove Plnth: 

              Flight of the Langoustine                                          Escape                                              Constellation 

              by Pierre Diamantopoulo                             by Matthew Davies                       by Jonathan Wright

You can make it happen

From the start we have been building a strong foundation of support with the public, media and local arts and heritage organisations in Brighton & Hove and beyond. In 2015 we received the Argus Community Star Award for contribution to Arts and Culture on the grounds of "capturing the imagination of people in the city", following the huge interest shown in our sculpture competition.

 "A fantastic project which will greatly enhance Hove seafront for the benefit of residents and tourists alike" , General Manager, Theatre Royal Brighton

We are now asking everyone  to translate all the good will into hard cash to make the Hove Plinth happen. Many of our great Victorian monuments were funded by public subscription - the crowdfunding of the times. Let's prove that the same spirit is still around!

 You can get some great rewards

To thank you for supporting our project we are offering rewards for donations at all levels. For example:

• For a great night on the beach you can have tickets for film on Brighton's Big Screen . 
• Artists can get discounts and 'goodie bags' with highest quality art material  sponsored by  Cass Art Brighton .  
• To get insight into the creative process you can have exclusive limited edtions of the artists' preparatory sketches for the first three sculptures chosen for the Hove  Plinth,
• Expert tuition in portrait sculpting by award winning sculptor Hazel Reeves  is on offer as well as a studio visit to the renowned Sussex sculptor Philip Jackson   

 How we will use the money

Your contribution will help us to achieve our target  of constructing the plinth and the site so that the first sculpture can be on display in 2017.  

The plinth will be constructed to last for more than 100 years and take a a weight up to 11 tonnes The total cost of creating the Plinth and the site is just over £100K,  including construction, high quality stonework to meet conservation area standards and the demands of seaside weather, landscaping,  power and internet cabling  and a maintenance fund.  We have already raised two thirds of this through grants, donations and contributions in kind.  With your support we could raise the remaining £35K and get started.

In parallel we are seeking corporate sponsorship for the first three sculptures.

Who we are

Hove Civic Society,  is the lead organisation behind the Hove Plinth. We are a registered  charity  founded in 1960 with the object of stimulating community interest in the beauty, history and character of Hove and its surroundings. We are passionate about improving the local environment and feel strongly that public art has the power to enrich our lives and inspire us to experience our surroundings in new ways.

Our Public Sculpture Project Group, is responsible for the project's development. We rely on dedicated input from skilled and committed people giving their time for free. The project group includes professionals with experience in public sculpture, sculpting practice, curating, fundraising, communication and business management. Expert advice on engineering and design is provided by HOP Civil and Structural Engineers and Millimetre Ltd.

We have partner agreements for collaboration with Brighton & Hove City Council and the Royal Pavilion and Museums and received a development grant from Arts Council England in 2015. Our patrons are Sir Timothy Sainsbury and the eminent sculptor Philip Jackson CVO, DL, FRBS.

More information  at www.hoveplinth.org.uk

Hove Civic Society is a registered charity,  Reg number 1051091

Testimonials

"If anywhere in the country should be promoting art and culture then it is here in Brighton & Hove. The idea of a plinth on the seafront was inspirational and I am so excited to see it now becoming a reality. Residents of Brighton & Hove should all get firmly behind this project, as it is something that not only will we all enjoy, but is a legacy for future generations" Rob Starr, Founder of Starr Trust

" I am very excited to see that the ideas behind the Fourth Plinth are being taken forward in Hove - a 'Fifth' plinth showcasing sculpture against the backdrop of the sea is a wonderful idea and I congratulate the Hove Civic Society on their  efforts and wish them success in bringing the project to fruition." Prue Leith, former chair of RSA and instigator of Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square

" We are proud supportes of the Hove Plinth, help them brighten the seafront with exciting displays of sculpture" Xoomtalk Brighton

" The cultural and artistic integrity of this project is very close to our heart.  We wholeheartedly endorse and promote the good work that Hove Civic Society  are putting into this enormously exciting project" Bill Murray, Brightons Big Screen

"We are delighted to be supporting the Hove Plinth crowdfunding campaign. We will do all we can to help Hove Civic Society hit their target as a new and exciting arts attraction in the area will be great for both the community and visitors" Martin Harris, MD Brighton&Hove Buses

" Hove Plinth is fully supported by Hove Business Association, the project will make a major contribution to the city" Andrew Nichols

This project successfully funded on 11th July 2016