On Friday 29th October, Wonders of Weston, a permanent programme of remarkable and memorable public artworks will be launched in Weston-super-Mare.

Part of the national Sea Change initiative which seeks to support the revitalisation of English seaside towns, Wonders of Weston will launch as British Summer Time comes to an end and the period conventionally thought of as off-season in the seaside resort begins.

Avoiding the kiss-me-quick cliché of the British seaside, commissioned artists Ruth Claxton, Tim Etchells, Lara Favaretto, Tania Kovats in association with landscape architects Grant Associates, raumlaborberlin and Wrights & Sites were drawn to overlooked aspects of Weston-super-Mare ??? from a derelict 1930s model boating pond to the childhood hangouts of John Cleese.

Whilst a number of the works take advantage of the expansive beach and the views out across Weston Bay, building upon the state of contemplation induced by big skies and wide open spaces, others encourage the visitor to turn back towards the town to consider its peculiarities, hidden wonders and infectious humour. The new artworks include sculptures that transform viewing points out to sea, a kaleidoscopic mobile pavilion and a night-time luminescent phenomenon at the Marine Causeway.

The launch event Warming the Wonders of Weston on Friday 29th October will celebrate the completion of the permanent artworks.

From 3.30pm on the last day of half term, family activities will include musical performances at raumlaborberlin???s Silly Scope at Weston station and Tania Kovat???s HOLM at Madeira Cove, a treasure hunt and storytelling at Ruth Claxton???s sculptural installation at the Model Yacht Pond. Those interested in meeting the artists will also be able to take a walking tour with Wrights & Sites or listen to a reading by Tim Etchells at the Winter Gardens Pavilion prior to the switching-on of his new neon light work.

For further information on the day???s events, visit the project website www.wondersofweston.org

Contact
For interviews with curators or artists, more information or images, please contact:
Kate Gordon, Communications Manager, Situations, UWE
T: 0117 930 4282 / 07980 921961, E: press@situations.org.uk