Visualising Spirit: Glass Wings for Chichester Cathedral...

Homing

A Sculpture by Carrie Fertig

From Monday 10th October 2011 - Tuesday 17th January 2012

In the North Transept of the Cathedral
Open Daily with Free Entry

From the 10th October 2011 to the 17th January 2012, Chichester Cathedral is delighted to present an extraordinary pair of flameworked glass dove wings, created especially for the Cathedral by the artist Carrie Fertig.

Comprised of numerous individual glass feathers, this striking sculpture will be suspended above visitors in the Cathedral's North Transept. 

Altogether, and outstretched, the 25ft dove wings are at a scale intended for flight for the human body.  Each individual feather ranges from 33cm to 105cm in length and each has been sandblasted on one side to both catch and transmit light.  To achieve the largest feathers, Fertig was assisted by students at Edinburgh College of Art, and North Lands Creative Glass, the artist explains: 'The largest feathers were created by employing furnace glass team techniques in the flame studio - they technically push the boundaries of what is possible in the medium.'

Fertig has named the sculpture Homing, she says: 'The intention of the installation is to transform the North Transept into a place of wonder, peace, contemplation and ascendancy.  Homing aims to connect the spirit within the individual, community, and Cathedral to each other.  The dove symbolises the Holy Spirit, peace and love, and referencing the story of Noah, a safe place to land.  In this way the sculpture aims to visualise the Cathedral's role as provider of peace and solace, and an environment both physical and spirtual, for finding this within oneself.'

Ruth Poyner, Visitor Services Officer at Chichester Cathedral says: 'We are delighted to be exhibiting this extraordinary sculpture.  The sight of these wings suspended from the Cathedral ceiling, shimmering with their 300 glass feathers, promises to be quite magical.'

A private viewing of the sculpture will take place at the Cathedral on Saturday 8th October at 7.30pm.  This unveiling will involve elements of performance and audience engagement - key themes in Fertig's work - and will be an atmospheric introduction to the Homing sculpture.  If you would like to attend this private view please email the artist on carriefertig@yahoo.com or see her fundraising webpage for details of how donations can be combined with an invitation to the unveiling event.  (This project is being funded entirely by the artist).

Fertig initially began work on the wings two years ago and during February 2011 she was Artist-in-Residence at Chichester Cathedral.  As part of the residency, Fertig worked from a specially installed workshop in the Cathedral's North Transept, showing her flameworking skills to visitors and running educational sessions with school groups.  The Artist-in-Residence project was a collaboration between Chichester Cathedral and West Dean College.

Further information about Carrie Fertig can be found on www.carriefertig.com