"Standing Stones"
1999-10-01 until 1999-12-20
Tower Bridge
London, , UK United Kingdom

Standing Stones, menhirs, runestones, the massive prehistoric markers of ancient ritual sites; these mysterious, powerful symbols are found throughout Europe. 'Standing Stones' brings together contemporary stone sculpture by Scandinavian and Irish artists who are continuing this extraordinary tradition, creating landmark pieces for the modern world. The exhibition will be staged in the shadow of Tower Bridge, itself a world landmark and major tourist attraction. The area adjacent to the Bridge, Potter's Fields, is visited by 2.25 million people per annum and has been selected as a 'Millennium Site' to receive special media coverage and live worldwide satellite linkage during December 1999. It is also the specified location for the new Greater London Authority headquarters building, designed by Norman Foster.

'Standing Stones' has already shown in Stockholm as part of the 1998 European Cultural Capital programme and is currently showing in Gothenburg prior to its London venue. In London the exhibition will be the highlight of 'Visions of Norway', the Norwegian Cultural Festival which runs here until Summer 2000.

The participating artists have all shown internationally, but this exhibition brings them together for the first time. The sculptures by Bård Breivik (Norway), Bjørn Nørgaard (Denmark), Pål Svensson (Sweden) and Eileen Macdonagh (Ireland) are between three and nine metres tall and weigh up to fifteen tonnes each. The sheer size of these stones will ensure that they dominate the immediate landscape exuding a strong spiritual presence at this historical site, a fitting tribute to the past and the future for the new millennium.

Curator: Robert Connolly, Olympian Arts Trust. Trust Patrons: Marina Vaizey, Richard Hamilton, Peter Black CBE RA, Tom Phillips RA, Prof Christopher Frayling Rector RCA, Bruce McLean, Peter Greenaway.

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