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FINAL Brian Boru Brief Public Art Commission Brian Boru Legacy Sculpture Figure 1 Battle of Clontarf, Oil on Canvas by Hugh Frazer 1826 1 BRIAN BORU LEGACY SCULPTURE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TENDER REFERENCE NUMBER 12/14/15 Armagh City and District Council, is seeking submissions from artists, or suitably qualified/experienced practitioners/contractors for the creation of a new Brian Boru legacy artwork The commissioners have identified two possible sites for the sculpture: SITE A - a raised flower bed near the entrance of Armagh Cathedral on the East Side overlooking Market Square SITE B- the walled gardens of St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh. The total fee for the commission is £20,000. Please note that this is a single stage public art commission and no fee will be paid for the preparation of your proposal. However the Council will retrospectively pay travel expenses and subsistence costs for a site visit on 11th September 2014 to artists who submit a proposal (Will not include travel by air and sea. See Section 3.6 for full details). The deadline for receipt of submissions is 12pm Tuesday 7th October 2014 . Late submissions will not be accepted. Applicants are requested to read the full contents of this document carefully as it contains important information about the Application and Selection Process and Terms of Reference. CONTENTS PAGE NUMBERS 1. Application Process 3 2. Background 4 3. The Brief 8 4. The Selection Panel 11 5. Making a Submission 11 6. Notes on Budgets, Fees and Site Visit Expenses 12 7. Selection Criteria 12 8. Artist/Design Teams Responsibilities 12 9. Responsibilities Armagh City & District Council 13 10. Project Timeline 13 11. Ownership 13 12. Contractual Arrangements 14 13. How to send a Submission 14 14. Contact for Further Information 14 APPENDICES Appendix 1 Services Map for SITE A Appendix 2 Terms and Conditions (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 3 Certificate of Non Canvassing (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 4 Compliance with Bribery Act (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 5 Health and Safety at Work (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 6 Bone Fide Tender (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 7 Equality of Opportunity and Good Relations (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 8 Fair Employment and Treatment (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 9 Freedom of Information (To be Signed and Returned) Appendix 10 Pricing Schedule Appendix 11 Aerial View of the Cathedral (Separate PDF) Appendix 12 Ordinance Survey Map of Cathedral Area (Separate PDF) 2 1. APPLICATION PROCESS Artists/suitably qualified practitioners are invited to submit proposals to Armagh City and District Council by 12pm Tuesday 7th October 2014. Details of the brief are found at Section 3 and how to submit your application at Section 14. There is no fee for this application process. However, artists who submit a proposal may retrospectively claim travel expenses for a site visit (excluding sea and air travel). See Section 3.6 for full details) Applications will be considered by a selection panel (See Section 4) working in association with a public art consultant and based on written proposals and associated visual interpretations. Please see below the timeframe for the project. All submissions must contain the following details: (a) A typed proposal not exceeding 8 A4 pages, per proposal (site) (excluding CV) outlining how past experience is relevant to this project and written/visual proposals for the new sculpture. (b) Sufficient illustrations, models or maquettes for the purpose of communicating scale, proportion, materials, aesthetic appearance of the realised proposal. (Bear in mind that this is a single stage commissioning process therefore the more assistance the Selection Panel receive in visualising the developed image the stronger the application.) (c) Satisfactory evidence of safety, suitability and maintenance requirements, as appropriate. (d) Details of physical practicalities of the project, statement that the timescale (below) can be complied with, and budget breakdown. (e) Up to date curriculum vitae/s supporting experience to deliver (Max 3 A4 Pages per applicant) (f) Examples of previous work on CD or DVD only. You may also give details of web sites and Facebook or published materials where examples of your work may be seen. (g) Stamped addressed envelop for return of written proposals (If Required) (h) Completed Armagh City and District Council Tender Documents (See Appendix 2-10). KEY DATES FOR BRIAN BORU ARTWORK COMMISSION Event Date Commission First Advertised 27th August 2014 Optional Site Visit Thursday 11/9/14 2pm Deadline for Questions on Commission 12pm 30/9/14 Deadline for Submissions 12pm Tues 7th October Selection Panel Adjudication 10th October 2014 Report Prepared for Executive Committee 13/10/14 Approval by Executive Committee 20/10/14 Full Council Approval 27/10/14 Letters to Unsuccessful Applicants & Start of Standstill Period 28/10/14 Artist Contracted 14/11/14 Submission of Planning Application/Listed Building Approval By 21/11/14 Fabrication of Artwork By 6/3/15 Site Preparation and Foundations By 13/3/15 Installation and Launch By 20/3/14 3 2. BACKGROUND Brian Boru has acquired the status of national hero in Ireland and beyond, a ruler who rose from relative obscurity to unite Ireland, albeit briefly, under his rule. What we know about him is a mixture of history and legend, all of which depict him struggling against the odds to rid Ireland from Viking conquest. He won that at the battle of Clontarf in 1014, but in so doing lost his life while praying for victory. His body was finally given the highest honour available at that time, and buried at the capital of the Christian Church in Ireland, at the great Cathedral at Armagh. Brian’s Origins Brian was born at Kincora, Killaloe that belonged to the Dál gCais of northern Munster. This people had risen to local prominence during the reign of Brian’s father Cennétig and his brother Mahon. He was one of the 12 sons of Cennétig mac Lorcáin (d. 951), king of Dál Cais and king of Tuadmumu (Thomond), modern County Clare, then a sub-kingdom in the north of Munster. Cennétig was described as rígdamna Caisil, meaning that he was either heir or candidate "king material" to the kingship of Cashel or Munster, The Battle of Clontarf in Irish History and Legend The battle of Clontarf, fought on Good Friday 23rd April 1014, is one of the most famous events in Irish history. In this conflict the forces of the Munster over-king Brian Boru and his allies were pitched against the armies of north Leinster, Dublin, and Viking mercenaries and allies from across the sea. The battle is a key event in the history of the Vikings in Ireland as well as the final chapter in the dramatic career of Brian Boru. The Vikings in Ireland The Vikings had plagued the Irish coasts since the end of the eighth century, and they settled shortly after. By the late tenth century, their power was restricted to a handful of ports, of which Dublin, Waterford, and Limerick were important and from where their kings ruled. By the time of the battle of Clontarf, there was a long history of intermarriage between Viking and Irish dynasties that facilitated cultural exchange, alliances and trade across political boundaries. Viking kings in Ireland had converted to Christianity and gave patronage to some churches, while raiding others under the control of their enemies. Despite the limited nature of their political power in Ireland, Vikings maintained a distinctive identity. Their fleets and armies were still effective in war, and merchants from the Viking ports maintained a network of trading contacts overseas. Brian’s Allies with the Vikings to Gain Power Brian sought control of the economic and military resources of Viking ports to forward his wider political ambitions. From the beginning of his reign, he pursued an ambition to become the over-king of Munster and having succeeded in that, he then sought to extend his sway over neighbouring provinces. Aiding Brian’s rise to power was the support of Viking fleets and fighting men. In 977 Brian had killed Ívarr, king of Limerick and his two sons in the monastery of Scattery Island. This brought Limerick under his control. In 984 Brian then allied with Waterford and the Vikings of the Isle of Man against Dublin. Thus Brian benefited from rivalries between different Viking groups. In 997 the Uí Néill over-king Maelsechlainn was forced to concede to Brian’s authority in the south. Until then, the Uí Néill dynasties had been the dominant force in Irish politics. He had barely achieved this when the forces of Dublin and Leinster renewed their war against him, leading to the battle of Clontarf. Sources for History of Brian Boru Much has been written about Brian and there are many sources. The most reliable accounts of the battle of Clontarf are to be found in Irish chronicles. A number of these survive from the Middle Ages. ‘The Annals of Inisfallen’, Chronicum Scotorum and ‘The Annals of Ulster’ contain descriptions of the battle and records of Clontarf are found in ‘The Annals of Boyle’ ‘The Annals of Clonmacnoise’ and ‘The Annals of Loch Cé’. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries a genre of propaganda literature developed which celebrated historic Irish victories over Vikings. Through negative portrayals of foreigners, these stories provided a justification for Viking ports to be brought under Irish rule. They also promoted an enhanced sense of Irish identity, which can be linked to the struggles of over-kings to impose their authority across the island. 4 Events at Clontarf were also celebrated in Norse literature. The most famous account is found in the thirteenth- century Icelandic Njáls saga, but shorter descriptions appear in other sagas.
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