I hear those voices…..
The Scallop
On Aldeburgh’s beach, a short distance north of the town centre, stands a sculpture, The Scallop, dedicated to Benjamin Britten, who used to walk along the beach in the afternoons. Created from stainless steel by Suffolk-based artist Maggi Hambling, it stands four metres high, and was unveiled in November 2003. The piece is made up of two interlocking scallop shells, each broken, the upright shell being pierced with the words: “I hear those voices that will not be drowned”, which are taken from Britten’s opera Peter Grimes. The sculpture is meant to be enjoyed both visually and tactilely, and people are encouraged to sit on it and watch the sea. Approached along the road from the Thorpeness direction it has a totally different silhouette appearing to be a knight on a rearing charger.
The sculpture is controversial in the local area. Many people consider that it is inappropriate for a man-made object to spoil a beautiful natural setting. It has been attacked with graffiti and paint on a number of occasions, and there have been petitions to have it removed. (wikipedia)
adrian pym photography 
16 Responses to “I hear those voices…..”
Thanks for the hint – it’s a place I will look forward to visit once… 😉
Definitely worth a visit.
Fantastic lighting! Definitely some of the best b&w I’ve seen for a while.
M.
Thanks Mike – appreciate your kind comments.
Very nice photographs Adrian! I googled the sculpture and can definitely see why people would object to it on such a wide, long uncluttered beach. The man deserves a monument but wonder if this is the place for it.
Thanks Chillbrook. The beach is very wide and long and my recollection is that the sculpture doesn’t stand out , look out of place or disprut the wider view. It is a good 10 minute walk out of the main town of Aldeburgh which surprised me – thought it would be in the main town.
I like it and wouldn’t mind it on my local beach.
I like it too, can’t see what the fuss is about.
It’s an intriguing piece.
I agree, might post some more shots of the sculpture to show the full scale of it.
Nice mono’s mate. `lovely job 🙂
Thanks
I like this sculpture for itself, Adrian, but I must say that your two photos are something else again – you’ve taken something beautiful and made even more beauty from it. The upper photo is my favourite – the high angle of the beach, horizon and clouds really injects a great dynamic into it, which is a right angles to the line of the words – and mono is just the thing! Adrian
Wow! Thanks Adrian – really appreciate your comments.
The sculpture is VERY photogenic.
Yes, beautiful and photogenic, and not of vast size either – and I think it says something about the mentality of some in this country that there’s been an attempt(s) to have it taken away – I despair at some people!!! A
Agreed.