Crowdfunder for first Hove Plinth sculpture

And Arts Council England has pledged £16,000 towards the campaign through the Artists + Crowd match funding scheme, if Hove Civic Society raise the additional £24,000 to meet the funding target.

The first artwork set to go on display at Kings Esplanade in Hove is Constellation by Jonathan Wright.

The campaign was launched on the May 4 and will run until June 22, and has already received over £10,000 in pledges from the public, in addition to the Arts Council’s pledge.

Karin Janzon, project director for Hove Plinth, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity. The match funding from the Arts Council means that each individual donations is almost doubled. We are inviting everyone to be part of this and welcome all contributions, small and large.

“Help us put the first sculpture on Hove Plinth and launch a stunning seafront site for art in Hove.

“We have already secured the resources for the plinth itself, so if we succeed with this campaign, then we can start building the plinth and commission the sculpture Constellation straight away.”

Inspired by the Fourth Plinth in London, Hove Plinth will exhibit a changing programme of sculpture. Major works will be displayed for 12 to 18 months after which some will be moved to permanent sites.

Speaking about the project, Jonathan Wright, the first artist who will see his work adorn Hove Plinth, said: “The idea for the Hove Plinth is to create a work that is part made by the local inhabitants and part made by the location itself. The role of the artist in this project is to provide a basic structure to focus the work as a whole and to guide it to fruition. The work is conceived by the public and engineered by the artist.

“The notion of a constellation, a model of the planetary system, an oversized ‘Orrery’ is a perfect fit for the location. We are encouraged to look upward, consider star gazing, a sense of the universe and the place we hold in the world. The installation will involve the local community, Brighton & Hove Museums and the University of Brighton. There is therefore a widening of the audience who are normally involved in the process of delivering artwork in the public realm.

“The work extends beyond its physical presence and becomes a point of reference that means many things to many people. The objects become magical, infused with meaning; a local constellation.”

To donate, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/constellation