The following shows 5 design proposals for the Hull Lost Trawler Memorial. Please take a moment to tell us which of the designs you prefer. 1. Sculpture Works The idea of ‘Journey’ seems one of the key elements of this project and how this ‘Journey’ can be reflected and expressed within a visually strong, site-specific Landmark artwork. We are interested in researching the narrative ‘departing for the sea’ and ‘returning from the sea’ and how this can be visualised in sculptural form. Drawing 1, references the narrative of waiting for the trawler and its crew to return, Drawing 2 the trawler is elevated on a series of chain rings which define its importance as the source of the fishing communities livelihood, Drawing 3 Shows a figure holding on to a boat and the memory of lives lost at sea: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image 2. Carl Payne Deep-sea fishing is a perilous industry. The sea is a beautiful, wondrous place but at the same time it is unforgiving and fierce. The brave trawlermen had to face this everyday of their working lives. I have encompassed these elements and feelings into my design. The trawlerman is dynamically sculpted showing his strength and determination, pulling in the net from the sea. He stands on two circular forms that have several symbolic meanings thus giving this piece an emotional message. The circular forms represent the sun and the moon (tidal forces) the deck of the boat and the sea, tectonic plates shifting, most importantly the struggle between man and the forces of nature: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image 3. Trevor Harries The group on the bow are smartly dressed in suits, a wave, a nod a final farewell, a cheeky exchange of banter for some to those on shore to mates. And now from the bow they look at you in hope for the future less we forget their sacrifice. Vertical they rise against the Humber. Walking around these iconic forms will induce a sensation of waves, of steep sided ice fiords in the scale of the gigantic lock gates which once witnessed the leaving and arrival of trawlers. It shows the very moment that the anchor weighed, one final glance at home: please log in to view this image 4. Peter Wallworth Taylor Thirteen trawlermen stand in an overlapping line, varying from teenagers to mature men - some smile, some wave, some look pensive, apprehensive, resigned. The wide range reflects the reality of a trawler crew and connects us to someone. The number of figures points to the scale of the loss involved. Many of the men have kitbags. They are backed by the ‘gallows’ - a device unique to trawlers and which gives the sculpture more height. The silhouettes work from both sides, giving an ambiguity - are they leaving or returning? Is he waving farewell or hello? This dual direction is a perfect analogy of the trawlermen - going out down the Humber and back (or not): please log in to view this image 5. Tom Leaper The design incorporates three elements, a ship’s hull, standing at 4.5 metres high, a central gantry based on the Lord Nelson’s at 5 metres and a personalized dedication panel sited on the keel. This design complements the Memorial Garden in form and by using scale to create an area with immense presence. It offers protection from the elements, giving visitors a safe harbour in which to reflect. The central focal point - the gantry- relates directly to Hull’s trawler history, which will add a personal element to ceremonial occasions, while the dedication panel offers a more intimate and reflective interaction for the visitor: please log in to view this image Which of the options do you prefer for Hull's Lost Trawlermen Memorial? Vote here - https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=145044526892
I like number 1 number 1, but wish the ship depiction was more trawleresque. And number 4 would be great with the ship depiction.
Umm. Not sure that any of these designs have got it. Do they understand the life that a trawlerman lived? Weeks and months away from your family. Existing in freezing Arctic conditions. A man constantly on duty smashing the rigging with a sledgehammer to keep the ice down. Living, eating, sleeping in cramped conditions. The scale of the operation; nets being cast into the sea in a raging storm. The violence of nature crashing into the vulnerability of humanity. One of the most evocative stories I was told as a youth is of a young lad, first trip on board, gets his foot caught in the net after it has been cast, as it cascades overboard in a rampant rush of noise and inevitability. No way to stop it. An experienced trawlerman looks the kid in the eyes. 'Sorry lad, there's nothing we can do now.' Net couldn't possibly be stopped and seconds later the lad is dragged into the North Sea, to a final, unavoidable death. Young life ended as abruptly as it is possible for any of us to cease to be. Returning to shore and drinking The Whittington And Cat dry. Young children seeing a Daddy they barely recognise. Money being spent out before the whole cycle starts again. Families left to cope at home, alone. We don't need analogies. We don't need symbolism. It's not a depiction of a journey. Just show them as they were. Hard, flawed, brave and washed all over with a patina of courage. Great men. End of story.
please log in to view this image personally I think they're all crap - what's wrong with something like this
It looks very much like the Lissett memorial, but that's no bad thing as that memorial is magnificent. Number 4 is easily the best of the 5 in my opinion. The Lissett memorial was designed by Peter Wallwork Naylor which seems a bit too similar to Peter Wallworth Taylor to be a coincidence so I'm guessing it's the same fella.
Fair enough then if that's his style. Antony Gormley's done alright with numerous iterations of sculptures of himself so it might be a bit churlish of me to criticise Mr Naylor / Taylor for doing 2 similar pieces. Edit: Naylor it is http://www.peternaylor.co.uk/public/Welcome.html
I'm also not really feeling any of them. Number 4 hits the brief. But the way that fellow on the right is crouching down makes it look like a boy band promo shot.
Well said, Ernie. None of these are even remotely appropriate, as they say nothing to me of what it was. I grew up with it, my Dad was a Sparks on trawlers, his Dad a deckie before him. I did a trip as a lad, they called it Pleasuring, it convinced me to do my apprenticeship and join the army. The work was what it was, the weather was what I couldn't imagine - it was spring, it fooled everyone. Think of fear and awe and then think again. My personal memory would be a sidewinder bumping into St Andrews Dock, before it enters the lock, my dad and his mates throwing their kit ashore and then making the jump to dry-land. I would race his taxi home, all hours of day and night, time and tide waits for no man, not even a boy on a RSW16! It was his birthday last Thursday, I miss him, I don't need a memorial, but the sight of his trawler making it home always filled me with joy, I close my eyes and it still does. Thanks, Ernie, for not forgetting and not embellishing, as the reality was enough for any man.
This would be my preference of those on offer, although I am not sure the 'gallows' is as symbolic as it needs to be, even though it is unique to some vessels. I think a scaled Otter Board, Warp and Net would have given the crew more identity.
In my eyes it should be something a little iconic, to grab people's attention, and make them want to go to the memorial and pay their respects. It is after all our history for those of us brought up in Hull(although my family originated from Sculcoates). I agree with HHH that number 4 was a little too boy bandish, my first thoughts on seeing it, was a lads holiday away in Benidorm. Most of the ones depicting just figures to me would be just another memorial, whereas when you read what Ernie and Fez both shared, it is a whole lot more than that, and the memorial should share visually and in words just what it depicts. Of the ones on offer, I prefer 5 as it could share the intimacy of the project. I'm not sure what the interaction stated would be, but could you list all the vessels that didn't come home, along with something that instills into the person reading the interaction, what life was like not just for the men going away, but also their families back home, and describing, as Fez depicts the joy when your fathers ship returned, and the despair when it didn't. Maybe I am making this sound a little too touristy, that's not my intention, but when Hull welcomes everyone to their city of culture celebrations it would be good to tell people about some of our history that makes us proud to tell people we are from 'Ull.
There's a memorial to lost trawlermen being unveiled tomorrow. It moves to St Andrews Quay later in the year. If you've not seen Inter tech, it's probably worth going for that alone. http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/look...t-trawlermen/story-28386251-detail/story.html
