Peter Randall-Page – More Than A Dodo

Dodo Roadshow: Yorkshire Sculpture Park

To mark our selection as a Finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015 we’re embarking on a unique and ambitious tour of the country – the Dodo Roadshow.

Beginning at Land’s End on 8 June and concluding in John O’Groats one week later, the famous Oxford Dodo will visit more than 20 museums and galleries along the way. At each stop the Dodo will ‘interview’ one of the venue’s star objects.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park: Skyspace

So, tell me about yourself – who are you and where do you come from?

I am the Deer Shelter Skyspace in the grounds of Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I was created by American artist James Turrell within the 18^th century Grade II listed building, the Deer Shelter, in 2006. I am a large chamber within the existing Deer Shelter structure with an aperture in my roof open to the elements. This opening creates a frame for the sky to be viewed through. Loving the Yorkshire landscape, the artist first proposed this idea in 1993 but it was only following a commission by the Art Fund that I was made possible.

What is it that makes you so special?

Created specifically for Yorkshire Sculpture Park, I do not alter the landscape but I create a tranquil environment for visitors to contemplate and enjoy the changing light of the Yorkshire sky. Turrell is known for manipulating light and is interested in how viewers perceive the light in different ways. Here, light is used as a medium for bringing the sky closer to viewers and to fill the space around them. The quality of light and feeling within me change with the seasons and weather so every visit can be a different experience.

Who looks after you in this place?

The Curatorial team, front of house staff and a team of Sculpture Technicians take care of me. I am pretty low maintenance but sometimes a little help is needed as I am always open to the elements.

Do you remember life before the museum?

For me, there was no life before YSP. James Turrell has created other skyspaces across the world, each one unique and specific to their location. I was designed and made just the way I am and permanent here at YSP.

What does the future hold for you?

I will continue to be a place for contemplation in the changing landscape here and I hope visitors will continue to enjoy stopping by Skyspace.

Dodo Roadshow: Eden Project

To mark our selection as a Finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015 we’re embarking on a unique and ambitious tour of the country – the Dodo Roadshow.

Eden Project: Seed

Here I am with Peter Randall-Page’s Seed sculpture. Mmm, rather egg-like…

So, tell me about yourself – who are you and where do you come from?
I am Seed, a 75 tonne sculpture by Peter Randall-Page, and I live in the Core Building at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

What is it that makes you so special?
I am based on Fibonacci mathematical principles and the golden ratio and my shape and form provide the blueprint of nature. It took the team two years to find a suitable rock from which to carve me, a day of nerves when I was blasted from my birthplace, two years to meticulously sculpt me, each dome being a different size, and several tricky days as I was taken to Eden and lowered into the building through the roof by a very, very, very large crane.

Who looks after you in this place?
I’m pretty house trained. The Eden Interpretation team look after me, the Narrator team tell stories about me and the Logistics team keep me clean and tidy.

Do you remember life before the museum?
Yes, I was a piece of the granite landscape of Cornwall before I was blasted from the Cornubian batholith as a 150 tonne lump before the carving commenced.

What does the future hold for you?
I’m here and like you I pay homage to nature. Luckily, as I am not alive, I cannot be made extinct but you have my every sympathy and hopefully I can help those who are alive to find their place in nature and appreciate its fragility and beauty.