A KINETIC sculpture called “Transforming Movement” was unveiled by Dulverton Weir and Leat Conservation Group at Leat Bridge in Dulverton last Friday.

The ceremony was carried out by pupils of Dulverton Middle School and the sculptor Luke Tupper was there to speak with the children, who received a signed copy of Luke’s commentary on the sculpture itself.

The conservation group is engaged in a project to research, restore and conserve Dulverton’s medieval weir and leat, and the sculpture in intended to be the start of an annual exhibition along Dulverton’s medieval leat in July each year.

Kinetic art is artwork which contains movement, either perceived by the viewer or dependent on movement for its effect, and is generally powered by wind or electric motors.

But in the case of Dulverton, the artworks will be powered by water.

Sally Fulford, head teacher at the middle school, said: “We are truly delighted to be involved in the Dulverton Weir and Leat project.

“To be able to demonstrate history and engineering using our local environment, whilst being fully supported by good research, will mean our children can really understand their locality in the context of historic and current global development.

“The project being on our doorstep means we can maximize the opportunities for the school to work with the experts involved allowing for fantastic learning opportunities across the curriculum.”

And Sandy Schott, arts lead on the Dulverton Weir and Leat Group, said:

“Luke is our sculptor in residence for the project, we also have a painter in residence and are about to appoint a photographer in residence.

“We see the weir and leat as being a dynamic focal point for talented artists to show their work as well as a source of inspiration.

“To have artists creating site-specific pieces of art for the weir and leat will add a new dimension to the town and help to bring the weir and leat to life.

“We shall shortly be sending out invitations for the 2017 exhibition to arts schools and other interested parties, and we would welcome enquiries from anybody interested in participating.”