Designs for Covid memorial in Aberdeen gardens unveiled
Architects have been commissioned to create the cairn to remember those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Designs for an Aberdeen memorial to remember those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic have been unveiled.
The sculpture, part of Scotland's Covid Community Memorial Programme, will be located in Aberdeen's Bon Accord Terrace Gardens.
The cairn will be crafted using upcycled local granite, commissioned by George King Architects.
A poem will be engraved on the spiralling statue commissioned by a local poet, and take inspiration from creative workshops hosted by Culture Aberdeen over the coming months.
Councillor Miranda Radley, Convener of the Council’s Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee, said: “I am pleased to see the creation of Aberdeen’s Covid Memorial has moved into its final stages with the appointment of the artist to create this poignant tribute within our city.
“Taking on board the ideas from the public consultation is vitally important to ensure the finished memorial reflects the wishes of the people most impacted by the pandemic.
"I look forward to seeing the finished memorial in situ at Bon Accord Gardens later this year.”
The Scottish Government funded programme, which is being delivered by Greenspace Scotland, has involved artists working alongside partners, communities, and faith groups.
In the early stages of the project, communities were consulted to gather ideas which would reflect the public's experiences during the pandemic.
The main considerations included a green space that was accessible to all with room for people to gather for healing and reflection.
George King of George King Architects said: “We are honoured to have been selected as the designers of such an important new public space and art piece.
"Our design encapsulates the city's resilience, strength, and unity in the face of adversity.
“We wanted to reflect this within the design creating a contemporary reinterpretation of a traditional Scottish Cairn made entirely from upcycled granite salvaged from the city itself and given new life within the memorial.
"Engraved on the rear of each stone will be lines from a newly commissioned poem, written by a local poet and inspired by the experiences of the local community during the pandemic.”
Public urged to get involved
The public are being encouraged to attend creative workshops on Wednesday 10 April at Ferryhill Community Centre.
Local poet, Jo Gilbert, will run the workshops where people will get the opportunity to learn about writing poetry whilst reflecting on their experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stewart Aitken, project manager on behalf of Culture Aberdeen, Station House Media Unit, and Greenspace Scotland, says the aim is to incorporate some of the material into the poem displayed on the memorial.
Mr Aitken said: “We are delighted to have George King Architects on board the Aberdeen project of this exciting national “remembering together” initiative.
"They bring with them a wealth of experience, including other Covid memorial projects, and we are very much looking forward to watching their design come to fruition.
“Having more opportunities for local people to the Bon Accord Gardens area, and from around the city, to be involved in the shaping of the memorial is a fantastic element to the project and we hope many people will take up the offer.”
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