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A major milestone in the development of the Turner
Contemporary gallery took place on Tuesday November 25 at 10:30am
with the groundbreaking ceremony in Margate at the Rendezvous site
near Fort Hill to mark the start of the building work.
Around 30 children from Holy Trinity and St Johns Primary
School, in high visibility jackets helped carry large mirrored
letters, which were displayed on a 15ft high specially commissioned
piece of artwork to spell "The sun is God", a quotation from the
artist JMW Turner who inspired the creation of the gallery and who
cited Margate's sunsets as "the most beautiful in Europe".
Pupils at the school have been taking part in activities with
Turner Contemporary and are the most local to the site. It is hoped
that the artwork used in the ceremony may later be displayed in a
public space for everyone to enjoy.
KCC Leader Paul Carter and Cabinet Member for Community Services
Mike Hill was then joined by some of the pupils to dig the first
turf before contractor R Durtnell and Sons began on site.
The Kent based firm are the oldest building company in the UK,
trading continuously for 400 years and are based in Brasted near
Sevenoaks.
R Durtnell and Son were recently appointed to build the gallery
designed by award-winning architect David Chipperfield. The
building is expected to be completed in 2011 and the gallery will
be operated by the Turner Contemporary Trust chaired by John
Kampfner.
KCC Leader
Paul Carter said:"We've kept to our promise to local people in
Margate that we would press ahead with building a major gallery for
the town, and the people of Kent, to boost regeneration and help
encourage a greater sense of pride in the area."
KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services
Mike Hill said:"David Chipperfield has developed an outstanding
design and its unique glass exterior will ensure it makes the most
of its dramatic seafront setting. Together with first class firm
Durtnell, we now believe we have the right team to make this
project a reality."
Turner Contemporary Operating Trust Chairman John Kampfner
added:"Trustees have recently been appointed and together they
demonstrate a wide mix of expertise and experience. We very much
look forward to this next step in Turner Contemporary's progress
and to taking it forward as a cultural landmark for the South
East." |