New Sun Lights-up Waterfront

Another piece of public art has been erected on Belfast's streets: a huge sun that 'lights the entire city', writes Carla Liébana.

The new sculpture, which has been unveiled this week, is placed at the city's Waterfront Hall where it will remain on permanent display on the concourse.

It has been developed with the help of children from six different primary schools, who also attended the official unveiling.

The artwork - as with many others created during the last year - is the fruit of several creative workshops that included the children as participants.

In this case, the sessions took place during the City Hall special reopening events celebrated two months ago.

The workshops also focused on plans for RISE, the forthcoming landmark artwork planned for the Westlink's Broadway Roundabout - which will be the biggest in the city when installed next year.

The overall project is funded by Belfast City Council, the Department for Social Development (Regeneration Directorate) and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and is supported by DRD Roads Service.

During the workshops, the schoolchildren's responses to the plans for RISE resulted in development of the 'New Sun', which then became their 'own sculpture'.

It weighs almost half a tone and is made up of 234 cast acrylic sheets. Children actually inscribed many of these sheets - again inspired by the RISE concept.

The Sculptor, Wolfgang Buttress, said he considered it a pleasure to work with these children, especially when observing the 'poetic result' of the workshops.

Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of Belfast City Council's Development Committee, commented that the artist really did underline the infectious children enthusiasm and optimism during the work sessions.

"Our young people are filled with hope and aspirations for the future – and I think that New Sun radiates that energy, just as RISE itself will be a representation of a new sun rising to celebrate a new chapter in the history of Belfast," he added.

See: Broadway Sculpture 'Needs More Cash'

(CL/BMcC)