ANNUAL KINETIC SCULPTURE EXHIBITION 2024 CANCELLED
Following on from the successful exhibitions in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 (see films on webpages), Dulverton Weir & Leat Conservation Trust planned to stage the Dulverton Kinetic Sculpture Exhibition again in 2023. Work would have been exhibited as usual, on ‘pitches’ set in Dulverton’s historic mill leat from 1st July to 31st July. During the 2022 exhibition the leat ran dry because of holes in Dulverton Weir. This meant that work by artists could not properly be displayed leading to considerable disappointment to the artists involved and the general public. The Trustees considered opinion was that the leat would probably run dry again in 2023 (in fact this was the case) and it would therefore be best to cancel the 2023 exhibition. Somerset Council, who own the weir, are hoping to carry out repairs this year (2024) but unfortunately these will not be completed in time to ensure the leat will not run dry again during 2024. The Trust has therefore taken the decision not to stage the Kinetic Exhibition this year but is still planning to stage the event again in 2025.
The exhibition offers artists a challenge in terms of design and manufacture but also offers them considerable public exposure and a great opportunity for artists to engage with the public viewer.
The exhibition usually opens with a formal opening ceremony with members of the media being present.
Sculptures are placed in the mill leat which on average is 9 inches deep, 2 metres wide and flows at approximately 4 miles per hour.
Fed from a huge weir to the north, the mill leat passes right through the town presenting some 500 metres of flowing water with many vantage points for members of the public to view the kinetic sculptures.
Dulverton is an excellent venue for a Kinetic Sculpture Exhibition being a vibrant market town in Exmoor National Park, a favourite destination for large numbers of visitors and as a local centre for shopping. There are good restaurants, pubs, hostel, camping barn, B&B and hotel facilities as well as a large touring caravan site set within the town.
For more information (or an informal discussion on ideas you may have) on the 2025 exhibition contact – Philip Hull at philip.hull@dulvertonweir.org.uk, 01398 323526.