[Stones] So, is this what some think of our heritage?

[Ric]

Hi Thelma,

this is a 'can of worms', of course - ie "What is
Art"? - but i think anything's positive if it
generates discussion on the subject of our megaliths?

Megaliths are art because they are architecture;
Terence Meaden insists, and Paul Devereux suggests,
that Avebury is actually 'sculpture', be that
hand-crafted, 'ready-made', or a combination of the
two?

With respect to Avebury, possibly one third to half of
the monument has been felled and buried by
superstitious villages, over the last 600 years or so.
On the topic of restoring the buried monoliths, the
arguments are often fielded that -

1) the stones would be too expensive to restore / the
finances do not exist for restoration?

2) the stones are somehow 'safer' underground than in
their original Neolithic settings?

With regard to the first point, an unknown (to me)
amount was spent on restoring the North Cove at
Avebury recently, because they thought - probably
incorrectly - that it was going to fall over? 

Also, EH spent something in the region of £145,000
restoring the 18th century Avebury Chapel - in the
middle of the henge - between 1986 and 1998. I think
even more was spent subsequently, between 2001-2?

In terms of (2), all the Rembrandts in the London
National Gallery would technically be 'safer' locked
deep underground in some art vault, but would we find
this acceptable, as a nation of art lovers? Obviously
not - the scenario is ridiculous. And yet we tacitly
tolerate the ongoing semi-burial of one of the most
unique art-archaeological treasures in Britain -
Neolithic Avebury?

Should we not, therefore, energetically lobby for
Avebury-as-art and heritage, to be restored to us?

Thanks,

Ric


--- Thelma Wilcox <thelmawilcox at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> "An installation by Guerilla artist Banksy has
> appeared in the Sacred 
> Space field in Glastonbury. The structure, which
> echoes the nearby 
> Stonehenge, is built from reclaimed public toilets.
> The Glastonbury 
> Music festival runs from 22-24 June."
>    
>   Well I suppose with Hirst selling a diamond
> studded skull for fifty million, Banksy must be
> setting out his wares as well - how low does 'art'
> get? does'nt it somewhat make a mockery of sacred
> space - but perhaps that is the point of it after
> all, there are no values in todays modern world....