Nude Or In Crinolines?

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32166, 9 December 1969, Page 18

Nude Or In Crinolines?

Often concerned with preserving what is historically attractive, members of the Christchurch Civic. Trust last evening wanted to know whether figures to be incorporated in a. new fountain were to be fashioned In crinolines, or in the nude. The chairman (Mr X Oakley) said that he supposed, as they would be in water, 'they would be in the nude. Explaining that the theme of the fountain, to be built as the result of a donation by a businessman, Mr R. H. Stewart, was "people in the elty,” an-architect member of the trust, Mr P. J. Bevan, said: “The 'people

are in the nude, but they will be In the nude In bronze, which is a different thing.” He said water would be playing through the figures and the whole effect would be one “of joyous animation.” It would simply represent a joyous state of people In existence. There would be 13 water outlets and water would cascade through the figures down to bronze bowls. The plan was to have the plans first approved by the donor, and then the City Council authorities. The . sculptor. Ria Bancroft, would fashion the figures of bronze. There would also be a triangular sheet of

water with seats aronnd it and the area in the High Street triangle would be paved. “Are they pioneer figures?” asked a member. Mr Oakley said they would be abstract because of the difficulty in casting in bronze. A woman member said it would be rather silly to have the figures dressed up in crinolines with water spraying all over them. It was agreed that within the terms of what already had been discussed for the fountain, the sculptor should he given thffi freedom to fashion the figures as she saw them.