1 June 2007: Lewes Library Launches Public Art

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As part of national Architecture Week, the East Sussex Arts Partnership and Lewes Library will be officially launching Esther Rolinson’s art piece Align, on Wednesday 20th June.

Align is Esther Rolinson’s glass and animated light sequence in the entrance steps of Lewes Library. The work comprises of a mass of dynamic linear marks, similar to glassy sheets of water traversing a weir; and is intended to suggest movement and direct visitors to the Lewes library entrance and be visible from the street below. Commissioned in association with McMorran and Gatehouse Architects, Rolinson’s work is a perfect platform from which to celebrate great architecture and public art in the county.

This installation is part of the East Sussex Arts Partnership’s Art in Public Places project which has supported a number of commissions across the county and produced on-line public art commissioning guidance for artists, developers and planning authorities and a publication marking these and other recent public art initiatives in Lewes, Hastings, Rother and Eastbourne and highlights the innovation and talent we have seen in public art across East Sussex in recent years – the publication will also be launched at this event. The online guidance can be found at http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/arts/development/publicart/commissioning/publicart.htm

As part of the launch event, a poem commissioned for the 10/9 project will be read by author Ros Barber. 10/9 was initiated by artist Neville Gabie who has photographed diary entries made by people living in Lewes District, recording the day before the momentous attacks on the Twin Towers in New York. These have been seen on billboards in Lewes and in a double page spread in the Sussex Express and now in a publication also to be launched at the event.

The Launch is being held at Lewes Library, Styles Field, Friars Walk, Lewes from 11.30 -12.30. Location and access details on http://www.architectureweek.org.uk/

For further press information, please contact Hilary Lane, Arts Officer, East Sussex County Council Tel: 01273 481871 (hilary.lane@eastsussex.gov.uk) or Claire Onslow, Cultural Services Manager, Lewes District Council Tel: 01273 484193 (Claire.Onslow@lewes.gov.uk)

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Notes for Editors:

Photo opportunity: 11.30am with artist Esther Rolinson, representatives from the Lewes Library, Arts Council for England and the East Sussex Arts Partnership.

East Sussex Arts Partnership is a partnership between all the Districts and Boroughs in East Sussex and the County Council - who work together to plan, manage and raise external funding for a variety of projects across the County. For further information visit: http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/arts/development/supportservice/esap.htm

All of the featured projects have been funded through the East Sussex Arts Partnership and by Arts Council England South East and East Sussex County Council.

Media Enquiries to Liz Lacon, Public Consultation and Press Officer