Constant Bearing — Denman and Gould

Constant Bearing; Public Art Trail, Weymouth. Commissioned by Dorset Council, Produced by b-side.

Constant Bearing is a social sculpture, informed by Weymouth's connection to the ocean and its history of sailing and navigation. The form directly references the intersection of lines on historic nautical navigation charts creating paving and seating. The subtle graduated colours of bathymetric charts, that map underwater terrain, have been used to inform our colour selection. The colour gradings reference the layers and depths of the ocean, appearing more green, or more blue, depending on the changing light. The paving is made from the Jordans Whitbed layer of Portland stone with visible shell from a prehistoric sea bed.

Located in the Bond Street square outside the oldest pub in Weymouth, these beautiful coloured forms provide functional seating and a perfect focal point for meeting with friends. They bring a contemplative, quiet and calming atmosphere to a busy area and a strong coherence to the square as a whole.

The work is part of a wider sculpture trail in the town that sees the installation of new water refill points that reduces single use plastics.