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River Under Tension

Louisa MacDonnell 1998

While my photograph isn't going to have you running to the Pulitzer Prize judges to submit a late nomination, if you look closely you'll see this clever piece by Louisa MacDonnell positioned above a stream. Lengths of wire were stretched out over the water between two fallen trees ('River Under Tension', get it?), just upriver from where Antony Holloway's 'Water Wheel' was located. The steep bank meant is was very tricky to scramble down to get a closer look, which is why I had to settle for a more aerial view in my photo. MacDonnell said of the sculpture:

"I was inspired by the trees that had fallen in an arrow shape either side of the river, echoing its direction and flow. I wanted the piece to reflect that direction but also to be a contrast to the softness of the bubbling, gurgling river"

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