Art Sculpture Artist Charged

The creator of an inflatable art sculpture that killed two people after breaking free of its moorings was charged with manslaughter yesterday. Maurice Agis, 76, has spent more than 40 years devising public art and had toured Europe for a decade with the ill-fated Dreamspace, a giant walk-in art work half the size of a football pitch, which visitors said was like a “psychedelic cathedral”. The incident happened on a warm Sunday afternoon at Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, in July 2006. Dozens of families, many with young children, were exploring Dreamspace’s coloured caverns and corridors when it suddenly reared 70ft into the air and flipped over. The artist tried vainly to grab on to a rope to stop the plastic structure from taking off. Some of those inside were flung clear. Others were trapped inside. Elizabeth Collings, 68, and Claire Furmedge, 38, were killed. Another 13 people were injured. Among them was Rosie Wright, a three-year-old girl who fell 50ft from the sculpture, suffering multiple fractures and a punctured lung. Her life was saved by a passing anaesthetist and the prompt action of an air ambulance crew who flew her to hospital. Mr Agis, from Bow, East London, was charged after a 19-month investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and Durham police. Mr Agis created Dreamspace in 1996 and the maze-like structure, comprising 115 interconnecting pods, had received more than 250,000 visitors in cities across Europe. The project had received £60,000 from the Arts Council for a UK tour, and was due to have been sited next at Victoria Park in Hackney, East London. (For full source and full article click the Headline). Irish Art