Big Things on the Beach 2007 - WONDER

nads · Post by **nads** » 07 Jun 2007, 15:49

it is along Bellfield Street nearly outside the swimming pool, was along earlier today and have to say its looking good

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 07 Jun 2007, 17:13

Queen of the castle! Clanger 1

Looking West, afternoon ,6/6/07

afernoon 6/6/07

Detail

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 07 Jun 2007, 18:57

And today - just before it started to rain

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 07 Jun 2007, 21:05

So Poppy,big piece of detective work here!!! You must live in the flats behind this great feat of engineering!!!

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 07 Jun 2007, 21:15

arachnid wrote:So Poppy,big piece of detective work here!!! You must live in the flats behind this great feat of engineering!!!

Who's a smart ole Spidey??!!

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 07 Jun 2007, 21:17

I surprise myself sometimes!!!!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 08 Jun 2007, 13:53

I am sooo looking forward to finishing the housemove and finally getting down to these pyramids to see them for myself! I will probably be too late to fill a sandbag or two but the Midsummer event is marked on the calender!

I have peered at the photos but can't see quite how it works for wheelchairs. Where is the access to the pyramids and when will a wheelchair path be laid? I don't mind missing on the filling of a sandbag, even though one of them apparently will represent my household, but I know a few kids in chairs who are keen to join in the fun and fill bags for their own households, and I'll have guests in wheelchairs at Midsummer, to whom I need to give helpful info first. Info please!!!

Post by **wangi** » 08 Jun 2007, 14:27

rapunzell wrote:I have peered at the photos but can't see quite how it works for wheelchairs. Where is the access to the pyramids and when will a wheelchair path be laid?

Morag, the pyramids are / will be adjacent to the sloped access ramp onto the beach which is along from the Baths at the bottom of John St (I think). So you'll not have the sea wall to contend with, just the normal problems for accessing the beach. I don't know if anything else can be done

I don't think an improvised short path made out of unused sandbags would be much help?

And you should be able to see them from the Prom

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 08 Jun 2007, 14:50

wangi wrote:
rapunzell wrote:I have peered at the photos but can't see quite how it works for wheelchairs. Where is the access to the pyramids and when will a wheelchair path be laid?
Morag, the pyramids are / will be adjacent to the sloped access ramp onto the beach which is along from the Baths at the bottom of John St (I think). So you'll not have the sea wall to contend with, just the normal problems for accessing the beach. I don't know if anything else can be done

I don't think an improvised short path made out of unused sandbags would be much help?

And you should be able to see them from the Prom

Thanks Wangi, but that's terrible news. See them from the prom?! Sit there excluded? Are you kidding? I am supposed to be one of those households the sandbags represents! If there are sandbags to heath robinson a pthway from, please lay them out - it's a great idea!

I'm so disappointed I can hardly believe this. I've been asking BTotB to remember to include wheelchair access for this project, reminding them since last summer, as they were in the perfect position with great funding and temporary planning permission to have temporary pathways for the installation, and needed to if they advertised as everyone welcome, and I assumed that as all this year's advertising said it was for all the community, and that everyone was welcome, and they hadn't stated there was no access, that we were in luck! Everyone's been really looking forward to a new installation all winter.

If it is true that there is no special access, then BTotB must state that clearly on the website and admit in all interviews that there is *no* wheelchair access, and alter the claims of it being a community venture, to avoid any more wasted journeys. I'll have to email them again, which is really embarrassing. They may not be eligible for any grants or funding next year after they've chosen to exclude a section of the community who specifically requested access, and that would be terrible as I love the idea of beach sculptures, and being involved in them. I've been inviting folk down to see them! The wheelie kids thought they'd be able to fill sandbags and join in.

I'm gutted about this.

StarVanMan · Post by **StarVanMan** » 08 Jun 2007, 20:42

It's depressing to hear this Morag. Maybe there's another side to the story but it sounds like you did what you could to help BTOTB with this. And it takes some of the shine off the enjoyment that lots of other people are getting. But I cant help enjoying them myself, in lots of ways. I've been intrigued by the number of people who simply watch people filling sandbags, like its a spectator sport or something. Which it clearly is! I see the kids have knocked the top off the big one - so that it makes a good seat for them. Maybe its Big Brother on the Beach - we end up watching ourselves!

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 08 Jun 2007, 21:09

I am glad you are enjoying BTOTB but why does my 13 year old just have to watch
As most folk know she is in a wheelchair and would love to fill a sandbag with sand and make her mark from our household
Do you think it is ok for a child just to sit and watch the other kids having fun
Why can wheelchair users only watch and not join in the fun somethings are just not fair for these kids who have to battle big style all through life

StarVanMan · Post by **StarVanMan** » 08 Jun 2007, 21:53

Did you ever get a reply from BTOTB to your requests, Izzie?

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 08 Jun 2007, 21:56

In a word NO

Post by **wangi** » 08 Jun 2007, 22:14

StarVanMan wrote:Did you ever get a reply from BTOTB to your requests, Izzie?

Izzie wrote:In a word NO

Bearing in mind I'm posting here just "as me"... What requests were those Izzie? I couldn't find any reference in this thread.

Although I must admit I broke the enquiries@ email address for a bit

so it could be the email was never received

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 08 Jun 2007, 23:40

rapunzell wrote:.....and I assumed that as all this year's advertising said it was for all the community, and that everyone was welcome

It's not perfect but I am sure that it is for all the community and that you are welcome.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 09 Jun 2007, 07:56

Pal of Porty wrote:
rapunzell wrote:.....and I assumed that as all this year's advertising said it was for all the community, and that everyone was welcome
It's not perfect but I am sure that it is for all the community and that you are welcome.

Not without access I'm not! Big Things on the Beach can't have it both ways. Either the project is for everyone, and they ensure there is basic access, or they continue to exclude (and as it was requested and reasonable access, the exclusion isn't accidental or forgetful) and they admit it clearly. No-one's forcing them to do anything - except follow their own claims or actions!

They should be ashamed of themselves for this, but instead we're being made to feel embarrassed, as though we're in the wrong for 'making a fuss' and 'criticising' something special. I know it's special, that's why I want to take part!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Jun 2007, 09:52

Morag, I fully support your stand. A large percentage of us will end up in a wheelchair at some point in our lives and, as an ageing population, the number of wheelchair users is inevitably set to increase. Pressure groups representing those with a range of disabilities will demand a society in which all elements of the built environment, including public art, have to adhere to the principles of 'universal design'. People like you are at the vanguard of that revolution.

Now I had better check how 'bobby compliant' POL is. Not very I suspect.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Jun 2007, 09:58

Just to illustrate my 'ageing population' point:

By 2040, the number of people over 64 in Britain is expected to grow from 9.5 million to 15 million. (Source: Catalyst Report)

And some info on 'universal design':

Universal design - wikipedia

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 09 Jun 2007, 11:54

I am happy to be able to tell you all that Damian, Chairperson of Big Things on the Beach, has been in touch, and they are very keen to rectify the unfortunate oversight. We are all working together to enable access to Wonder for the special Midsummer community opening by trying to quickly source a temporary pathway to run from the Turkish Bath ramp entrance across the sand to the pyramids. We might be able to get the Territorial Army to lend a hand, or even the council. Wish us luck!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 09 Jun 2007, 19:02

Good luck, good luck.
Hope the " track " does get installed!

I can see the pyramids if I lean out the window

Was all excited and told the kids, they stared sphynx like.....
Oh Giza break!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 09 Jun 2007, 19:53

rapunzell, great news

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 09 Jun 2007, 21:42

Sandra wrote:rapunzell, great news

We could be the first wheelchair race on the sand

See you on the sand soon I hope

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 09 Jun 2007, 22:57

Might be a good idea to include a lost kids station at the site.
Well, where else should they go if they've lost their mummy?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 10 Jun 2007, 05:00

Bob Jefferson wrote:"I thought we could just make a giant pyramid out of sandbags. It should look pretty cool and kids will love it."

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 Jun 2007, 09:57

While in Castle Terrace car park yesterday, I was approached by a young family, who wanted to know if there was a beach nearby. I told them I was actually just about to return to Portobello, where there was a beach and they could just follow me in their car if they wanted. They were delighted and asked what there was in Portobello for tourists.

Was it like Blackpool?
'Er, not really,' I replied,' but we have got some pyramids.'

Give them their due they didn't bat an eye and still trusted me enough to follow me back to Porty.

Post by **wangi** » 14 Jun 2007, 00:24

Remember that the "official opening" is next Thursday the 21st from 6pm - all welcome, more info:

http://www.bigthingsonthebeach.org.uk/

L/

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 14 Jun 2007, 09:38

Interactive art at it's best - some re-building work to be done after last night's visitors.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 14 Jun 2007, 11:46

Not had a chance to see the real thing yet... the pyramids look absolutley fantastic...what a brilliant idea, and the kids look like they're really having lots of fun

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 14 Jun 2007, 12:26

I hadn't heard they'd been attacked by vandals
I've not been along the last few days due to other circumstances.
EN

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 14 Jun 2007, 14:29

Just read the EN article

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 14 Jun 2007, 15:28

Just read the comments attached to the EN article.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 14 Jun 2007, 17:04

ecm wrote:Just read the comments attached to the EN article.

They are unbelievable!

Post by **wangi** » 14 Jun 2007, 17:47

BTOTB will be on Talk Radio 107FM tonight from 5pm... I don't know if it's been, or it's still to come

Also next Tuesday (19th) it'll be on Radio Scotland's Radio Cafe between 1.15-2pm: www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/programmes/cafe/

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Jun 2007, 20:53

WONDER is scheduled to remain in situ from the summer solstice on 21 June until the winter solstice on 21 December. Big Things on the Beach very much hope that people will respect the artwork and refrain from using it as a play area, climbing apparatus or other so that it stays intact for the enjoyment of the local and the wider community who we are sure will be attracted to come to Portobello to see our very own Pyramids of Porty.

Do any of these people have children? Get real!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 17 Jun 2007, 21:40

Hate to say it but they'll be lucky if it stays up until the 22nd June