It’s the people and the community that makes a place special and this sculpture focusses on elements that are meaningful to residents and visitors alike, such as the terraces, people of the past and even a secret tunnel that may have inspired one of the most important works of children’s literature. This sculpture collages photogrammetry scans of elements found at the site and 3D digital models from the sites history. Find out more about the different elements in Black Rock “Beachcombers: People” and try to spot them in the sculpture.
List of Elements
Ironwork from the Madeira Drive Terraces
Madeira Terrace is longest continuous ironwork structure in the world. Ironwork from the Madeira Drive Terraces was 3D scanned and incorporated in the sculpture including the face of Neptune which is a prominent feature in the ironwork.
The Black Rock Horde
An Iron Age horde was discovered on the Black Rock beach. The horde, which is on show at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery was photogrammetry scanned and incorporated into the sculpture.
Symbols of the LGBTQ+ Community
Dukes Mound at Black Rock is an famous location within the gay community of Brighton and beyond, and diversity is echoed within the artworks through symbols suggested by the Brighton LGBTQ+ community which have been incorporated in the sculpture.
Parasols used by Victorian Promenaders
Victorian ladies would promenade along Madeira Drive in their finery and carrying parasols, and this is remembered in the 3D modelled parasol in the sculpture.
Barbed-wire
After the defeat of France in June 1940 during World War II Brighton beach was closed to fears of an potential German invasion via the south coast of England. The beach was closed and covered with barbed-wire and barricades. The 3D modelled barbed wire wrapping around the sculpture echos this dark moment.
The Windows of Concorde 2
Concorde 2 is a classic Victorian building, originally used as tea rooms in the 1800’s. In the 1960’s it became a notorious bikers cafe and in the 1970’s an amusement arcade, before it was eventually transformed into a music venue in 2000. It has hosted many famous musicians including Ed Sheeran, The White Stripes first ever UK appearance, Jarvis Cocker, and the Kaiser Chiefs and holds a place in the hearts of many Brighton residents and visitors. The 3D modelled decorative windows of Concorde 2 can been glimpsed within the driftwood form.
Japanese Spindle Plant in the Green Wall
The Madeira Drive green wall was planted in 1872, and predates Madeira Terrace. It was established along with hedges and other plants, to make the new seafront an attractive place to walk, take the sea air, and enjoy the views and is longest, oldest green wall in Europe. The most iconic plant in the green wall is the Japanese Spindle plant. It also covers much of the area known as Duke’s Mound behind Black Rock.
Alice in Wonderland’s Secret Tunnel
Lewis Carroll lived at 11 Sussex Square on the top of the cliff where you can find a plaque on the wall. The buildings around Sussex Square surround a private secluded garden for which only residents have keys. Hidden inside the garden is a secret tunnel entrance that leads visitors down below the seafront road and emerge at a brick cliff balcony/walkway overlooking the beach. It is believed the this secret tunnel may have been the inspiration for the rabbit hole that Alice in Wonderland falls down in Carroll’s famous book. The gate was 3D photogrammetry scanned and the secret tunnel can be found in the sculpture.
Black Rock Lido
Black Rock lido opened on the site of a terrace garden on 8 August 1936 and necessitating a slight shortening of Volk’s Electric Railway. The pool, 165 feet by 60 feet, closed in 1978. Wave-like elements 3D modelled from the architectural details from the lido can be found in the sculpture.
Crambe maritima (Sea Kale)
Sea Kale has now been re-planted in a series of ‘wave’ design beds in the vegetated shingle at Black Rock. The unique design protects the young plants from harsh coastal conditions. As Sea Kale plants take five years to reach maturity the artists scanned plants a little further along the coast via the Undercliff Path towards Rottingdean. 3D scans of Sea Kale leaves adorn each of the three sculptures and these 3D models are also used as part of the free augmented reality app.
Driftwood
Sea-worn driftwood can be found all along Brighton beach especially after storms. The effect of the force of the sea on the knotty wood forms strange organic shapes. Each of the three sculptures is based on different pieces of driftwood found on the Black Rock beach.