Page 42 - Studio International - July August 1972

SHEFFIELD
Nigel Hall

Seven light beams
Total length of configuration 65o feet
Ground plan forms a curve
Beams set at 75 degree angle out from curve
Lights set below ground
Sheets of plate glass flush with the ground
Photo-electric cell switch.

The proposal for this project in Sheffield
involves the use of narrow-focus light beams.
Therefore this sculpture can only be visible at
night.
The site is situated on the hill slightly to the
east of the centre of Sheffield. On this hill
stands the Hyde Park Housing Development,
and slightly to the west of the main housing
blocks is an area of open, undulating land
approximately 400 by 15o feet. It would be here
that the lamps would be set up. This location
would allow the beams to be visible over much of
Sheffield.
It is proposed that four light beams would
be used, each beam extending several hundred
feet into the sky. The four lamps would be sunk
into the ground in specially constructed fibre
glass containers so that the top of each container
would be flush with the ground. The light beam
would emerge through an inset slab of
unbreakable glass, the whole assembly being
waterproof and vandalproof. Photomontage of proposal for Sky's Edge, Sheffield Seven light shafts
The four units would be set in a curving line it would also limit the ability of the beams to
The work would be a complete structure in
with approximately 5o feet between each other. light visible from some distance. Moreover, as build up a continuous curtain of light.
The beams would shine into the sky at an angle the lights are level with the ground it would be A secondary reason, for which I owe thanks
of r degrees to the ground.
possible to walk round and through the beams. to Mr Harry Thubron for his enthusiastic
Revised proposal castigation, is that four is traditionally an
In the months since I submitted my original unsympathetic number in mystical terms.
proposal for this piece, I have had reason to This would seem to justify my original
reconsider or, more accurately, revert to my first partly-intuitive decision.
intentions regarding the number of beams I With regard to the actual placement of the
should utilize in the configuration. Originally, beams, the general configuration remains the
I had intended to use seven shafts but, due to same: they will be set to form a smooth arc
financial constraints, I limited the number to across the ground and it is crucial that the
four. Since then, however, I have gained access distances between the beams is determined by a
to a cheaper, but no less effective unit and so direct act of walking the spaces and not by a
am able to carry out the project in full. pre-planned metric scheme. At this stage I feel
The main reason for wishing to use seven there will be a gradual compression of distance
shafts is that, on considering four, I realized it between the beams as one moves around the
would present rather too stable a structure; and curve. q

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