Sedile Francigena at Barham Downs
Via Francigena Arts Trail
Dover Arts Development are delighted Polysemic’s Sedile Fancigena is now installed at Barham Downs.
It is the third and last of the three artworks to be installed that together, with After the Black Gold at Woolage Village and Monumenta Romana on the Waldershare Estate, form the Via Francigena Art Trail between Canterbury and Dover.
The artwork is situated on the North Downs Way on Barham Downs adjacent to A2 near Horse Bridge A2 crossing.
OS Grid ref: TR 20560 518552087 5157. Access from Ileden Lane, Canterbury
One of the joys of being out on the trail this winter has been meeting the walkers who have passed by, first when we were building the stone wall and then later when installing the route map seat. Many people at this spot on the North Downs Way are regulars from neighbouring villages, intrigued to see and hear what we were up to, looking forward to having somewhere to sit and watch a sunset in years to come. I have been very grateful for their support and welcome as they pass. Others have been out for longer walks or rides, often with small backpacks and making at least a day of it. I’m glad to say they were just as interested, although they might not be back to see the work so soon. No-one we met was on their way to Rome, but that is hardly surprising in the depths of winter. I do wonder when the first pilgrim will pass by.
The installation is now complete and I look forward to seeing the bench in the spring when the hedge has filled out behind it and the crops in the surrounding fields are growing. I also hope to see any photos people might want to share of their encounter with the piece (please do use #sedilefrancigena if so inclined). Whether you are out walking for an hour, a day or a month, we hope you will stop at this spot, have a seat and think a little further afield. You will be the latest of a very long line of people to pass this way. It is an honour to think that this bench can be part of people’s journeys for years to come.” Christopher Daniel (Polysemic)
Sedile differs from the other 2 sculptures in that it isn’t specific to the location where it is installed. It tells the story of the entire route, across the English Channel to different countries with hugely fluctuating topography and landscape. It makes you consider the enormity of the journey and the potential for adventure and learning on the way. It’s also a very visual piece and tactile – it draws you in to touch it, to sit on it and to take in the views across Barham Downs. Peter Morris (North Downs Way Manager)
I love this piece, it’s a bench, an incredible piece of engineering and a beautiful artwork. For pilgrims it’s a visual marker of the whole journey and for casual walkers it’s an intriguing and stunning sculpture that transforms a short walk into the possibility of a much longer adventure – it’s gorgeous! Catherine Bradley (European and Project Development Manager at Kent Downs AONB)
