City Centre 3 (The Eastern scenic Art Trail)

The City of Milton Keynes (Part Three Eastern Section)

Si monumentum requiris circumspice. ( If you seek a monument, look about you )

 "... Through art alone are we able to emerge from ourselves, to know what another person sees of a universe which is not the same as our own and of which, without art, the landscapes would remain as unknown to us as those that may exist in the moon..."

Proust, In Search Of Lost Time, Volume 6: Time Regained

Eastern Section covers From the Milton Keynes Secklow Gate (V7) up to Campbell Park (Marlborough Gate)

Leaving the sculpture "Essence", turn left and go up the pavement outside Saxon Court. This a longish journey, crossing several side roads and going through the Secklow Gate under pass. Now it is a bit tricky as we need to keep running along the pavement until we come to a crossing  going towards Wonder World, a shop in the Xscape building. Cross the road and turn right, continuing to the corner of the Xscape complex. Turn left and proceed to the main entrance. The polished stainless steel sculpture called "Xscape" stands out in stark contrast to its surroundings.

Essence

 "Xscape" was created in 2000 by Diane Maclean, who said: ‘The sculpture is a meeting place, a resting place, an amusement - people see their distorted reflections in it (fat or thin) - and the surroundings are reflected like abstract paintings, always changing according to where the viewer is’
(Historical Notes)

Now for some fun stuff. Go into the centre and on the left a little way on in a shop, is a climbing wall. If you wish, park and you can watch the climbers attempting to scale the face. After this go to the end of the arcade, turn right and follow the passageway to the Ski Slope. Whilst you can't get a front row seat, position yourself on the side and you will be  able to watch  the skiers doing their thing. I sometimes watch with a tinge of envy, but at least I am mobile... Right!

To progress, backtrack to the arcade intersection and continue out to the pavement. Turn right and at KFC take the crossing to navigate over a side road and Avebury Boulevard arriving in the middle of the "Science Garden". The whole Garden is comprised of a Cube, Triangles, a Spiral, an Henge and a metal tree sculpture, all the symbols of the basic tenets of science and accepted folklore.

                                                                             
 Henge

                                                                        
 Gnomon (Shadow caster)

                                                                            
Spiral 

                                                                         
Triangles

                                                     
ATOL ( A Tree of Life) and Cube

The "Science Garden" was built to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the "New City". At the centre of these installations is a gnomon that casts a shadow to represent both time and space within the historic and scientific context.  (Historical Notes)


Now we go on to locate some nine sculptures in the "Paparazzi" series. It is almost like a hide and seek and a treasure hunt at the same time. At least that's how it felt when I was looking for them. Turn left at the end of the science garden  and then immediately right into lower twelfth street. Stop and look at the  domed roof ahead. I can only call this a "pavilion" or a "pergola" which protrudes from the building line. Atop the roof, facing the road, is the first of Stephen Gregory's sculptures. It is a camera on long vulture legs. It may look inconsequential but it's significance becomes apparent as we progress. 
Paparazzi Camera 1
                                 
Carry on to the centre of "The Pavilion" and turn right down a passage leading on to a square. Stop at the beginning of the square, turn around and again look up at the roof of  the "The Pavilion". You will notice another two sculptures tracking your progress. 
Paparazzi Camera 2 & 3

 Continue to the middle of the square. Stop and look at the roofs of the surrounding buildings in a 360  Degree arc. Spaced evenly are the remaining six sculptures on their Vulture legs, taking in every move you make and stalking your progress, waiting for the right moment to pounce. A detailed analogy of this most fascinating interpretation can be seen on (Historical Notes)

Paparazzi Camera 4 & 5

Paparazzi Camera 6 & 7

Paparazzi Camera 8 & 9


 With no place to hide, we must hurry to the intersection of Savoy Crescent, turn left and make our way towards Midsummer Boulevard.
 Before we reach the road we come across a largish sculpture of two masked people called "Dangerous Liaisons" by Philip Jackson in 1995.  They appear to be engrossed and oblivious to their surroundings. Is this from one danger to another? 
Dangerous Liaisons

I think it is symbolism as portrayed in (Historical Notes) , but the conspiracy people believe otherwise. Make up your own mind by going to http://www.mkweb.co.uk/ILLUMINATI-Conspiracy-theorists-claim-Milton/story-24545849-detail/story.html.

After all this intrigue, time to relax a little, so turn right and a little way on turn right again.This will bring you to the Milton Keynes Theatre. Inside here are three notable pieces, namely "Electric sheep" ,"Wall Work" and "Moon Drawing". Unfortunately, I was unable to get a reply from Milton Keynes Theatre with regard to my request to publish a picture of these artworks, in spite of several requests.
To move on and upon exiting the theatre, turn right and you will reach a garden square adorned with polished geometrical shapes, namely pyramids, mounted sloping orbs. a cube, an oval cylinder and a large creeper covered polished stainless steel ball. I'm not sure of the significance of these items other than for decorative purposes. What is pleasing to the eye is a small water course that wends its' irregular way through this mini open air concourse.
Polished Geometrical shapes

Continue around the building on the left.  You need to go a little way to reach level ground. Now do  U turn on the pavement go a little way downhill and on the left hand side a grassed  area will open up displaying  "The Object"  a sculpture by Dhruva Mistry.
The Object

 Dhruva Mistry has created a curious stainless steel architectural structure. Although there seems to be an entrance, physical entry is impossible, and as you move around the sculpture, perspectives seem to distort. See  (Historical Notes)

Continue towards Marlborough Gate. Turn left and take the Midsummer Boulevard underpass. Cross over the coach parking area taking the Silbury Boulevard underpass. Turn left back along Silbury Boulevard and the building on the corner is called John Ormond House.On the building landing stands "The Presentation" by Allan Sly


The Presentation

It was commissioned by Personal Assurance as a representation of a symbolic moment in the life of a working team. The company was keen to reflect the loyalty, success and sense of family within the organisation. 
Turn around and backtrack to the corner of the building. Turn left and continue to North Row. Diagonally opposite is a very tall pristine tree circle. To get there you will have to venture on the road. Fortunately it is very quiet here so it is safe enough to navigate.Then, Lo and behold "The Winter Solstice Tree circle" in evergreen splendour. 

                                                                         Entrance 
The Winter Solstice Tree circle
I cannot better describe this quiet spot other than to quote Sian and Jackie's observations :- "The centre of the city contains many items of interest which are not apparent at first sight. The most important of which is a tree circle facing the winter solstice at sunset, as opposed to summer solstice and sun rise. It is a very impressive, tall circle made from conifers which are beautifully kept but has no information board. It is strangely tucked away amongst the car parking where very few people would notice it. One section is cut out and faces west, and so allowing the winter the sun to clearly shine in. We were there just after the winter solstice just before sunset and we can attest that the sun does indeed shine in and fills the entire circle up and is very dramatic".
                                         
Winter sun shining into Winter Solstice Tree circle

Historical Notes and/or Items of Interest : Eastern Section

It is not always the artefact that impresses but the story allied and/or alluded to it.

 "Xscape"

  Diane Maclean is a sculptor and environmental artist of note and for more information on her variety of  activities go to :-   http://www.dianemaclean.co.uk/Maclean/
"Science Garden"

Businessman and local artist Phillip Pauley created ATOL, which stands for "A Tree Of Life" and is the first in a series of artworks based around the natural world. 
"The metal tree is meant to represent growth and is particularly apt considering the development of Milton Keynes.”

 "Paparazzi"

  The best rationale I have found is explained in the following detail.
"Groups are seldom benign, whether massed people, flocks of birds or herds of animals - there is always an element of unease and unpredictability about them.. This parade of anthropomorphic cameras gives rise to feelings of revulsion, horror and humour. The cameras on vultures' legs tell us that they prey on their victims - such images surely inhabit the nightmares of most members of the glitterati. The menacing stance of these creatures, their undeniably black patina giving character to their black souls, is intensified by their group presence. Hunting in a pack, they survive, but ultimately this is the survival of the fittest as they seemingly jostle for position to get the best shot.
Gregory collected ancient stills cameras and a movie camera, finding them in antique markets and second-hand shops, and used them to create different characters within this group. Their individuality is emphasised in different ways: the bellows in one, the placing of the camera vertically or horizontally in others. After all, we are all unique. The smallest of these dark beings sneaks to the fore to gain a better view, the extended claw of one towards the rear menaces both his colleagues and their prey. The glistening eyes of the lenses, their penetrating collective eye, serve to emphasise their intent, and are a subtle but essential touch in this assembly.
Is this a severe case of media bashing? Possibly. More likely a wry look at a phenomenon of the late twentieth century, a marked sign of our times."
With acknowledgements to the Cass Sculpture foundation:-http://www.sculpture.org.uk/sculpture/473/paparazzi
"Dangerous Liaisons"

Philip Jackson CVO DL MA FRBS  is a renowned sculptor with an outstanding international reputation His ability to convey the human condition through skillful use of body language is legendary, producing figures both imposing and operatic in their narrative and presence, which are recognisable worldwide.Philip Jackson has undertaken many public and private commissions, including sculptural portraits of Dame Felicity Lott and Baroness Thatcher. 
http://www.philipjacksonsculptures.co.uk/
"Dangerous Liaisons" is one of a series of sculptures by Philip Jackson based on the mask and inspired by the Maschera Nobile of 17th and 18th century Venice. This elegant costume hid the identity and gender of its wearer, allowing him or her to go about the city unrecognised, and enabling intrigues, vendettas and love affairs to take place without fear of discovery. Jackson describes his work as ‘a sculpture about body language and the interaction between two people. It portrays two people sitting on a bench in deep conversation. One is discernibly male, the other discernibly female, although this is understood only by gesture and pose. They take no account of the viewer; their concentration is on each other. The viewer, however, must determine what secrets are flowing between them - what dangerous liaison is taking place.  
Comments from david icke.com

 "The Object"
The Object was developed from earlier works by Dhruva Mistry in which he combined images of the human figure with geometric forms, or used an object - such as a chair - to represent human presence. In this work he has created a curious architectural structure of planes, crystalline forms and cut-outs, which alludes to fairytale palaces and dream castles. Although there seems to be an entrance, physical entry is impossible. As the viewer moves around the sculpture, perspectives distort and expectations are confounded, in the same way as space is contorted in an Escher drawing. Dhruva Mistry was born and studied in India, coming to England in his early twenties to further his career as a sculptor. His work combines the rich imagery and narrative of Indian art with influences of Western sculptural traditions.

"The Winter Solstice Tree circle"
Sian and Jackie have some interesting observations on their Blogspot which can be accessed on
http://sianandjackie.blogspot.co.uk/
Acknowledgements to Sian and Jackie for use of their pictures of the "Pergola", Winter sun shining into Winter Solstice Tree circle and the meandering water course near the MK Theatre.