The crate wall of Dysart comes down

UNLIKELY? Granted. But the doughty denizens of Dysart have certainly set themselves up as hot contenders for this year's Philistines Oscar. At least six of them have successfully agitated and howled to have a 'controversial' piece of modern art removed on the grounds that 'it ruined their coastal view'.

The offending structure, a 53 metre long and one metre high white-painted wooden wall designed by artist Donald Urquhart was erected last November, cleanly edging a piece of hitherto derelict ground overlooking the Firth of Forth.

The residents also alleged that the wall, approximately 100 metres from any dwelling and well below any site-line, was built without any consultation.

Prior to its construction, 1500 leaflets had been distributed locally via a 'flyer' in the Fife Leader informing residents of a public consultation meeting in October 2005, as well as a targeted delivery to the houses overlooking the site.

Constructed internally from crates at a cost of £ 19,000, the wall was one of a series of commissioned public art works to be part of the much needed Dysart regeneration project.

Following a further report from Health and Safety officials that thrill-seeking BMX riders used the wall to carry out stunts, Fife Council bowed to the strident protests on the basis that "nobody was comfortable with the health and safety issues," which is a pity since a goodly number of public art works throughout the UK would fail to meet this requirement, but thankfully remain in situ.

To be precise the wall was conceived as a 'text work' by the poet Thomas Clark to appear on the structure designed by Urquhart. It bore two words in large coloured letters. On the landward side, in orange, AURORA and on the seaward side, in blue, FLORA.

"Aurora and Flora were two coal barges that worked out of Dysart a hundred years ago. The piece is a celebration of Dysart's mining heritage.

"At the same time, it is intended as a symbol of hope. You can stand here and watch the dawn rise over the river, or watch the flowers spread along the cliff. Age-old signs of renewal and regeneration," explained Tom Clark.

Interestingly, the choice of these words was made after consultation with a number of members of the public.

Very much a site specific piece, even in a short life-span it enhanced a dismal rundown patch of ground. Its finely proportioned rectangular shape and neutral coloration created and defined one of a series of stunning parallels occurring naturally in the vista across the Forth estuary, comprising the sky, sea and the distant shore line to the south.

Fife Council have now decided to demolish it and re-engage the artists to work on another project in a different location in Dysart.

Led by a vociferous few, the reasons for the protests, unlike the wall itself, seem based on shoogly foundations with more than a hint of NIMBYism evident.

The Crate Wall of Dysart was an inspired and sympathetically thought-out concept that openly attempted to portray symbolically what had once literally powered the local community. Given half a chance, it might just have raised the vision of the protestors to appreciate this.

Despite all the sincere attempts to keep the public abreast with the nature of the project, that it failed is ultimately due to a disturbing trend which accords strongly-held, forcefully expressed and often ill-informed opinions, a credence and credibility they simply do not deserve

JOHN DI FOLCO.