Michael Pendry and Les Colombes

Just over two months after the nerve agent attack in Salisbury and with the clean-up operation underway, the Cathedral is hosting a major art installation that carries a message of resilience, peace and hope 

Les Colombes by multimedia artist Michael Pendry features a flock of around 2,500 white origami doves that ‘fly’ the length of the Cathedral nave. The installation opens to the public on Saturday 12 May.

"Salisbury Shops can be part of this project -  For details of the installation and to find out how you can take part see below:"

LES COLOMBES, a Michael Pendry Installation

Originally part of the Cathedral’s New Dawn themed events marking the centenary of the end of World War One, Les Colombes is a timely reminder that the appeal for peace and hope remains as powerful today as it was in 1918.

Alongside the installation #SalisburyCityofDoves, a community project inspired by Michael Pendry’s work extends the message across the city.

Les Colombes has been exhibited in Munich, Jerusalem, London, San Francisco and Berlin. At each location Michael Pendry has encouraged community groups and individuals to fold their own doves, which he then includes in future installations.

Artist Michael Pendry said: “Although the doves are folded by different people, in their unity they stand for a fundamental human right - the right to peace and freedom. The time has come to declare ourselves and to stand up for this! May the flock of doves grow, from place to place, from country to country, and across all borders. Peace, freedom, and sustainability in a world of change and disturbance are the key themes of my installations.”

Salisbury Cathedral’s Visual Arts Advisor, Jacquiline Creswell, who is responsible for bringing Les Colombes to Salisbury said: “Our community has recently been challenged by the nerve agent attack in our city and this exhibition brings with it the message that we can all come together to fold and create our own white doves that will fly as our symbol of hope, humanity and new beginnings.” #LesColombes

 


COMMUNITY PROJECT: #SalisburyCityofDoves
 

A community project has been launched that will see shops, homes and schools making paper doves and displaying them in their windows as a simple but powerful symbol of the city’s resilience in response to the nerve agent attack.

Workshops and participation packs will be available in locations across the city so that anyone who wants to can take part. Some businesses have already pledged to make window displays including Waterstones, Casa Fina, Noble Arts and the Rose and Crown and the Cathedral will be running two drop-in dove-making workshops in the Cathedral from 10.00 – 16.00 on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 May. Michael Pendry will be on hand to offer advice.

Dr Robert Titley, Canon Treasurer and Chair of the Cathedral’s Art Advisory Committee and a supporter of the community project said: “During Holy Week and Easter we have walked with Christ in our hearts and minds, following his journey to death as a way of preparing to share in his Resurrection. During this time, the Salisbury attack and its repercussions have been at the forefront of our minds as we have heard again the Easter promise of renewal and new life. These doves are a symbol of that Easter process and of the hope that lies beyond darkness

We hope to get as many people as we can involved with this project - to find how to participate please click here