The Helix, Falkirk
I've seen many images of the Kelpies here on Flickr and wanted to visit them myself, so when the opportunity arose during our mini-break to Queensferry and Edinburgh this bank holiday it was duly programmed into the sat-nav as they are only a short drive away (5 miles) from the Falkirk Wheel.
I must say that I have reservations about "modern art" and often consider the "art part" is convincing people that it is art. However, I found these incredibly impressive art installations and worthy of the stop-off. My only gripe about our visit is the inconsiderate maintenance crew that left two cherry pickers parked right against one of the sculptures with the cage strategically placed under the horse's nose over the bank holiday weekend. I think the most skilled Photoshop exponent would have difficulty removing them. Certainly beyond my capabilities and hence my chicken's approach to simply hiding them from view.
The origins of the Kelpies...
The Kelpies are a pair of 30m high horse-head sculptures built of structural steel with a stainless steel cladding. They stand next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near the River Carron, in The Helix - a new parkland project built to connect 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area. The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013 and following installation opened to the public in April 2014. The sculptures form a gateway at the eastern entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal, and the new canal extension built as part of The Helix land transformation project. The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland.
The name was chosen by Scottish Canals at the inception of The Helix project, in 2005. The Kelpies name reflected the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of 10 horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland's inland waterways. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges and coal ships that shaped the geographical layout of the Falkirk area.
According to sculptor Andy Scott, "The original concept of mythical water horses was a valid starting point for the artistic development of the structures." He also said that he “took that concept and moved with it towards a more equine and contemporary response, shifting from any mythological references towards a socio-historical monument intended to celebrate the horse’s role in industry and agriculture as well as the obvious association with the canals as tow horses”. In 2008 Scott created three-metre-high miniature versions in his Glasgow studio. These were then scanned by lasers to help the steel fabricators create accurate full-scale components.
According to Scott the end result would be "Water-borne, towering gateways into The Helix, the Forth and Clyde Canal and Scotland, translating the legacy of the area into proud equine guardians".
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