25/09/2009
Installation begins of the Ring of Steel at stadiummk

After a long period in development the installation of Ring of Steel has begun at stadiummk!!

This landmark piece of public art is the result of a  not-for-profit public art project in partnership with MK Dons Sport and Education Trust, MK Dons, MK Citizen and Milton Keynes Council, and has been created by the internationally recognised artist Gordon Young, as one of the legacies of the 40th birthday of Milton Keynes.

Eventually spanning the circumference of stadiummk's brilliant open concourse, the Ring of Steel will include over 40,000 faces that will retain a place in Milton Keynes' history. The artwork will be a snapshot in time of our young people and the wider community. These portraits will be set in steel for years to come.

Currently, Phase 1 has been installed which features 5000 faces (including those that have paid for a place on the piece of Art) and will be unveiled at Saturday's match against Leeds. If you can’t be at the Leeds match there will be a series of open sessions to view the work starting next week on Friday 2nd October from 5.00pm – 7.00pm with entry at Gate 6. 

Pete Winkelman, Chairman of Milton Keynes Dons commented "Although reaching this stage has been a long and at times difficult path I think that the finished piece will justify a place as one of the City's most talked about and inspiring pieces of public art in an absolutely fantastic setting."

Gordon Young, the artist who has led the project says "As a football fan, I am frequently unimpressed by new stadium architecture – they seem to me to be cheap, breezeblock stadiums, but when I turned up I was gob-smacked. This is why I was so excited to take on this project and ensure that the faces of Milton Keynes people will be in their stadium for years to come"

This is the first of eight phases that will be installed as soon as funds become available. However, there are still spaces to fill and photography will recommence from this Saturday at the Leeds match with the price of a space being £30. It is anticipated that interest will re-ignite in the project now that a part of the finished article is able to be seen.

John Cove the Chief Executive of the MK Dons Sport and Education Trust that is leading the project said "We felt that we couldn’t restart the photography for the project without being able to demonstrate what the finished piece was like. Now that we have that, we are setting about filling the final places in earnest and whilst we want the support of individuals we would also like to involve companies in sponsoring the photographs of their staff as a way of supporting this project"

Full details of how to become involved can be found on the Ring of Steel Website at www.ringofsteelmk.com. 

The Ring of Steel wouldn't have been possible without the help of partners which have included MK Citizen and MK Council.

Cllr. Vanessa McPake the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Sport and Arts said " This is a fantastic example of how Sport and Art can come together in a really positive way. To know that there will always be 40,000 people in the stadium is a wonderful thought"

Premier Newspapers managing director Paul Gibson said: "We are delighted to have been involved with the project – a major public portrait for future generations to enjoy."

"This piece of art is history in the making."