Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

The Kelpies: How they relate and explain energy,

wealth and power.

Fine Art Level 4

Energy, Ecology and Modernity

Morag Colquon

Catherine Wilson

ST20045703

ADZ4999

st20045703@outlook.cardiffmet.ac.uk

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

Contents…………………………………………………………………..2

Declaration of ownership…………………………...…………………….3

Introduction…………………………………………………………….…4

Main Argument…………………………………………...………………5

Conclusion……………………………………………………………….11

Bibliography……………………………………………………………..13

Reading List……………………………………………………………...15

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

Declaration of Ownership

Within this essay I declare that everything apart from my references, that I have

obtained from other sources and have clearly labelled throughout my essay and in the

bibliography, is my own work.

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

The Kelpies: How they were influenced by power, wealth and energy.

The Kelpies Horse sculptures show signs of energy, wealth and power. I am going to

compare points raised in lectures with this particular piece of art work, drawing up

similarities between the sculptures and the seminars.

The Kelpies Horses stand at an impressive 30metres high, making them the United

Kingdom’s tallest piece of public art. They are a part of the £46 million Helix Project to

redevelop the land, covering about 350 hectares, between Falkirk and Grangemouth in central

Scotland. This project which was funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Falkirk Council and

Scottish Canals and was designed to attract thousands of tourists, boosting the local economy.

The local authority leader Linda Gow said: “The Helix project is part of the My Future's in

Falkirk scheme which aims to create up to 4,250 new jobs and generate £50m a year for the

local economy by 2012”[1](BBC news report,16/3/2009). I have chosen this piece as I feel it

best represents energy, wealth and power in all senses of these words. Not only taking them

at face value but also the deeper meaning showing how all three are linked and reliant on

each other to create a piece of meaningful artwork that can stand the test of time.

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

The Collins English dictionary definition of the word Kelpie is “a water spirit of

Scottish folklore, typically taking the form of a horse and reputed to delight in the drowning

of travellers.”[2](Collins English Dictionary,2014). This definition was the original

inspiration for the sculptures form, however, in the artists statement Andy Scott describes

how this concept changed; “The mythological associations behind the original brief that has

been absorbed by other sources of inspiration in the creative processes, and the ancient

ethereal water spirits that have been forged into engineered monuments. The Kelpies are

modelled on heavy horses (two Clydesdales of Glasgow City Council actually served as

models in the process) and it is this theme of working horses which captured my imagination

and drove the project. Clydesdales, Shires and Percherons, the ‘equus magnus’[3] of the

north. They are the embodiment of the industrial history of Scotland and the Falkirk /

Grangemouth area. Heavy horses would once have been the powerhouse of the area, working

in the foundries, the fields, farms and of course the canal itself, pulling boats along the Forth

& Clyde from coast to coast.”[3] (Andy Scott’s artist statement 11/2013). This then shows

how the power is linked so closely with the surrounding area.

The energy, wealth and power have all worked as one and strived to produce this

piece of artwork, through the rich history of the land. “The materials of the sculptures are

deliberately those of Scotland’s former industrial heartland, steel construction on an

architectural scale”[3] (Andy Scott’s artist statement 11/2013), this both shows the rich

history of Scotland’s industrialism and the wealth of the land itself. Showing how they have

lent themselves to create this large piece of history. The production of this installation has

embodied both the past and present of Scotland, “Steve Dunlop, Scottish director of British

Waterways, said: "This is great news, not just for the many local communities in and around

Falkirk and Grangemouth but for Scotland as a whole.

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

The Helix has captured the imagination of the public both locally and nationally and I

have no doubt that this ground breaking environmental project will become a great source of

pride for everyone.”” [4]( Steve Dunlop, BBC report, 14/11/2007). The wealth through both

this history of the land and, in the materialistic sense of the word wealth, the generous

donations of different companies has allowed this sculpture to be created physically.

However, the wealth and power of the piece is also shown through its dramatic graphic

features adding to the whole energy and general experience of the sculpture. The total cost of

the sculpture was 5 million pounds sterling;- however, the international attention it has

received will hopefully generate a boost in the local economy, showing the power art and

design can create. “Jackie Killeen, director of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: "This is

the single biggest investment the Big Lottery Fund has made in Scotland and we are

confident that this living landmark will be truly transformational."” [5](BBC news report,

27/11/2013). The Glasgow artist who designed the structure, Andy Scott, has included ten

thousand special fixtures to secure the ‘steal skin’ to the ‘skeleton’ of the two horse

sculptures. The sheer amount of these panels adds to the impressive appearance of these

structures, making the overall experience artistically richer.

The wealth of this piece is also a large provider of its overall power, the artist himself

stated in a documentary that he was blown away by the “cinematic presence” [6] stating that

“ the way they sit in the atmosphere is always changing”[6], their appearance in the natural

daylight, rain and mist is something “that [he] could never have predicted, no amount of

visualisation on computers…would ever capture the way they actually sit in the atmosphere

… it’s been amazing” [6] (Andy Scott in the BBC documentary on the Kelpies 11/2013).

This cinematic presents that has been created and reflected onto the two sculptures through

the natural elements was something that was never originally planned but has ended up

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

enhancing the energy of the two pieces, therefore, showing the power of the entropy created

by nature.

Energy is shown in two forms, it can be shown as the energy that is being transferred

from the constructions workers to the sculpture, or it can be shown as a state of entropy.

Entropy is a form of energy, which tells us that energy cannot be created or destroyed but it

can be shown within a silent form of entropy, one object to another. “Entropy is a measure of

the degree of randomness or disorder of systems, explaining how life maintains a high degree

organisation.”[7]( Laws of Thermodynamics, 1992-2001)

In the first law of thermodynamics it states that “energy can be changed from one

form to another but cannot be created or destroyed”[7] (Laws of Thermodynamics, 1992-

2001). In this sense the energy being created is from the man power to the building of the

structure. The power being used is showing the transfer of energy that is already existent and

is not being destroyed because of the form that is being created; it is simply being transferred

to the energy and power shown though the design and construction. The power that this

sculpture brings is in many different forms, the first being the man power used to create the

form and the second being the status power it has gained during the constructive process.

This power has formed large media coverage of the design and construction process allowing

the cultural wealth of the piece to grow. The press coverage of this piece has contributed to

the overall anticipated energy of the Kelpies. This media attention has added to the visual

power of the sculpture as it has made their gastronomic form known throughout the different

ethnic cultures of the world. To increase the awareness of the addition of this installation in

Scotland miniature versions (10ft tall) where flown to America to promote the country, the

artist and the artwork. Gaining feedback on how the sculpture would be accepted worldwide,

“Scott told Haskell the sculpture is “a celebration of the working horses of Scotland and the

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

role they played in building society.””[8]. The total feedback was generally positive with

comments like ““Absolutely beautiful,” said Anthony Lebron.

“I love this, I saw the pictures of the ones in Scotland which are 10 times as tall and I wish

we could fit them in Manhattan,” said Randy Carter. “It’s like public art everywhere, it just

reminds you to be human.”

“I think they’re beautiful, and I like the way they glisten in the sun,””[8] (CBS New York

report, 21/3/14).This feedback added to the energy of the whole installation as it increased the

suspense for the Kelpies to be opened to the public, creating an excited energy around the

whole project for both Scotland and its awaiting worldwide viewers. Visually the piece

imprints an emotion of great strength making their energy a powerful source. The Kelpies

horses can be seen form the M9 motorway and nearby canals for miles around increasing

their visual energy and therefore the overall power of the piece.

Entropy also gives an understanding of order and disorder. Order is an “improbable

arrangement of elements”[9](Rudolph Arhiem, 1974), which then gives the understanding of

how the elements can become an expression of disorder. Within these elements the 1:100

scaled sculpture will be tested to see whether the materials were resistant enough to withstand

the natural forces of nature. This controlled assessment has taken “place in Teddington. The

results will be used to determine what materials and methods [have been] used to fix and

support the structure.”[10] (BBC news report on the approved Ambitious Helix project,

16/3/2009). By testing the elements we are able to find that the energy that will be created to

produce the sculptures will be able to withstand the elements. This then proves that the

energy cannot be destroyed by natural forces, also proving that the entropy has been moved

from one form to another. What was not expected was that the natural elements would

enhance the artwork, through testing the artist discovered that steal was the most suitable

material to use to create the Kelpies. The panels of the sheet steal where then galvanised for

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extra element protection, however, this then allowed the panels to reflect the natural light

creating an atmosphere that no one predicted, thus emphasising the expression of disorder

and order of the elements. Eventually the weather will take its effect on the structure adding

to both the character and the entropy of the structures.

Power is present within energy and wealth; this can be shown in the structure of

Kelpies as the conjoining of all three is what makes its experience hauntingly powerful.

The Online Oxford Dictionary names many descriptions of the word power; power as social

authority or control, a person or organization that is strong or influential within a particular

context and the physical strength and force exerted by something or someone. [11] (Oxford

Dictionary, 2014). In this sense the two Kelpie Horse sculptures embody the world power in

more ways than one, not only is it structurally powerful as it can withstand the natural forces

but also in the sense that it is now the tallest piece of public art in the United Kingdom

giving it status power as artwork. This links in with the public wealth of the artwork, as

although it has cost a large sum of money to create, its status will internationally draw people

to visit it, heightening local economy and creating power through its highly influential wealth

and history.

Walter De Maria explains that “art is an experience not just an image”[12] He states

that “art is nothing compared to nature – a painting compared to the Grand Cannon looks like

nothing”[12]. Walter De Maria wanted to embrace the energy and power of nature and bring

that into art, stating “if people in a gallery could just feel an earthquake”[12] (Walter De

Maria “Lighting Fields” 1977). De Maria was introducing the idea of Land Art as we know it

now, by allowing nature to add to your art you instantly adds a new level of majestic power

to the form. Although Andy Scott’s sculptures are graphic in design, they are based on

natural animals and the sculptures themselves allow nature to project different emotions on to

them through the reflection of natural light. This projection of light adds to the energy of the

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

piece as the sculptures will look different at first light in the morning compared to later on

that evening, showing how the mood of the structure can be changed depending on the

weather. This adds to the power and entropy of the Kelpies as unlike a painting in a gallery it

will change throughout the day, changing how each viewer interrupts it. The Kelpies can be

seen for miles around so it interacts with its viewers, whether it is on their drive to work or if

curiosity gets the better of them and they choose to go and interact with the piece. As of next

spring the Kelpies will be open to the public including a visitor’s centre along with the plans

to add a new canal extension linking the Forth and Clyde canals with the North Sea to

increase the boating traffic in the surrounding area around the Kelpies. This extra traffic

around the sculptures will hopefully create more conversation surrounding the origins of the

piece. Creating more local knowledge and giving more power to the people.

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

In conclusion the Kelpies horse sculpture embodies energy, wealth and power as all

three are interlinked and inter-reliant. The wealth of the art is not only just in its materialistic

sense of the cost of the structure but also in what it will give back to the local community and

economy. Likewise in history of both the Scottish folklore and the industrialism of Scotland

the sculpture brings a wealth of historical culture, which will be presented to the public

through the conjoining visitors centre. Interconnected with this is the fact that in giving back

to the local economy the sculpture also holds power and energy, through the jobs that it has

provided.

The energy shown between the labour of the construction workers, planners and

technicians in the production of the artwork, this means that the entropy of the structure will

never be lost, as it has been changed from one form to another. The energy is also produced

in the form of the media attention this art work has been receiving, by creating anticipation

and excitement around the opening of the sculpture to the public next spring. This press

attention relates to the cultural wealth of Andy Scott’s piece of artwork and also brings in the

idea of power in the media.

The power of the Kelpies is shown in all of the above aspects as the materialistic

wealth of the project allowed the sculpture to be created, while the wealth of Scottish history

allowed Andy Scott to create an impressive and relatable sculpture that Scotland can be proud

of. The energy the construction workers have put in over the last 3 years has allowed the

creation of an outstanding piece of art work that creates a powerful artist experience. The

energy that the media has created will add to the public wealth of the structure and, therefore,

the cultural power the Kelpies hold. The power of the Kelpies is also in the overall

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

experience of the sculpture as they portray a strong and powerful stance of both the horses

positioning and also the materials used to create them.

Finally the energy, power and wealth created in the work of the Kelpies are what form

this gastronomic and impressive art piece. Together they are the life blood of a piece of art

which can represent so much history and allow it to stand the test of time both physically and

creatively.

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

Bibliography

1. Quote from the local authority leader of the beginning of the Helix project, Linda

Gow, from the BBC news website report on 16 of march 2009

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7946183.stm )

2. Collins English Dictionary definition of the word ‘Kelpie’. 2014 Edition.

3. Quote from Andy Scotts personal statement on his website November 2013

(http://www.thekelpies.co.uk/story )

- Equus Magnus Latin definition - equus : horse, steed, mount

- magnus : large, great, important.

Definition from the Latin dictionary

(http://www.thebookmarkshop.com/latin/latindictionary.htm )

4. Quote from Steve Dunlop, Scottish director of British Waterways, BBC news report

14 November 2007

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7094084.stm )

5. Quote from BBC news report on the Completion of the Kelpies Horse Sculpture on

the 27th of November 2013

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-25124730 )

6. Quote from Andy Scott on a BBC Documentary on November 2013

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-25124730 )

7. Quotes from the Laws of Thermodynamics, 1992-2001, last modified on the 18th of

May 2010

(http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobookener1.html )

8. Quotes from the CBS New York report on the 10ft Kelpies in America, 21/3/2014

(http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/03/21/horse-sculptures-by-scottish-artist-arrive-

in-bryant-park-for-tartan-week/ )

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Catherine Wilson Energy, Ecology and Modernity

9. Rudolph Arhiem 1974, Entropy and Art-An essay on disorder and order.

University of California press, first edition, p14-15.

10. Quote from the BBC news report on the approved Ambitious Helix project, 16 March

2009

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7946183.stm )

11. Definition of the word Power from the Online Oxford Dictionary, 2014 Oxford

University Press

(http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/power )

12. Walter De Maria “Lighting Field”, 1977, From seminar notes.

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Reading List

Marc Alexander, British Folklore. New York: Crescent Books, 1982

Rudolph Arhiem 1974, Entropy and Art-An essay on disorder and order.

University of California press, first edition, p10-15.

Walter Gropius, The Theory and Organization of the Bauhaus, 1923.

Robert Smithson, A Sedimentation of the Mind: Earth Projects, in Jack Flam, editor

Robert Smithson, The Collected Writings, Berkeley and London, The University of

California Press, 1996, p100-133.

- The making of the 10ft scaled Kelpies,

- The inspiration behind the use of the Shire horse models

- The 10ft scaled sculpture beside the Shire horses it was

modelled on

All images from Andy Scott’s website, November 1013.

(http://www.thekelpies.co.uk/story )

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