5. CAMERA LUCIDA

Inaugurated I I th January, 1985 by Lord Gowric (then minister for Arts)

Sculptor: Tim Head (contemporary b. 1946)

Camera Lucida is a work which invites the viewer to walk around, between and peer through the clear glass circles in each panel at eye level, to the central double circled panel. In keeping with the nature of the Museum, Camera Lucida combines a number of ideas taken from the camera and film. The 9 panels are each 9 feet high and span approximately 30 feet. They are constructed from toughened (armour plated) glass by Pilkingtons and represent optics used in a modern camera. Not only can it be likened to a camera shutter, but also to old glass plate negatives. During the day the glass panels reflect the buildings and movement around, whilst at night it is illuminated. The sculpture took 2 years to construct and cost approximately £20,000.

Tim Head's Camera Lucida reflects his own interest in mixed media, combining ideas from sculpture, painting and photography. Head's sculpture was the first contemporary work created for a city centre site. Head studied art at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne from 1965-69. He then went on to study at St. Martires School of Art, London at a most interesting period in the development of British Art. The 1960s was a period when the American artists were at their most influential, and stealing the stage from the Europeans and influencing English Art Schools with ideas such as Pop Art, Minimalism and Conceptualism. In 1968, Head worked as an assistant to Claes Oldenburg (American Pop Art) in New York and in 1971 worked with Robert Morris (American Minimalist) at the Tate Gallery, London. It is therefore not surprising that his first one man show at the Museum of Modem Art, Oxford in 1972 was a group of installations creating illusory spaces. His interest in the camera, its use as a visual conveyor of information is a deliberate intention to inspire the viewer to become both mentally and physically involved with Camera Lucida.

Turning to face the Pictureville Cinema, on your left you will see a large imposing sculptured figure of one of the City's most famous sons.