Google MapsA new statue to remember those sadly lost during the pandemic could be heading to an Aberdeen park.
Plans have been unveiled to place a Covid memorial in Bon Accord Gardens.
The artwork would allow people to honour those who died, while also reflecting on the many changes that occurred during the pandemic.
The idea has been spearheaded by national covid community memorial programme, Remembering Together.
In Aberdeen, the initiative is being managed by Station House Media Unit (shmu) on behalf of Culture Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council.
Costs for the project, including the design, creation and installation of the statue will be covered by the Remembering Together project.
The memorial is expected to cost around £100,000 but no council cash will be used.
Councillors will be asked to approve the proposed location when they meet on Tuesday.
The city project started last May when Roos Marie Dijkhuizen, Maja Zeco and Caitlyn Main were brought on board to take on the creative consultations.
It was crucial that the artwork be placed in an accessible outdoor space to ensure people of all ages and abilities could view it.
Bon Accord Gardens was put forward as the ideal location due to its close proximity to the city centre.
The park was also praised as it can allow visitors to take part in quiet reflection despite being so close to the heart of Aberdeen.
Should the project get the green light, an open call for memorial ideas will be launched.
Three artists will then be shortlisted and asked to create a more detailed proposal using visuals and models.
Once a final design has been agreed, the Remembering Together team will put together a detailed planning application to be submitted to the council.
The North East Culture Collective would manage the project going forward, while the chosen artist would be responsible for designing and installing the statue.
After the artwork is finished, Aberdeen City Council would take full ownership of it.
It is expected that the art piece would need “very little” maintenance and would need nothing more than an annual clean.
Should the project get the green light and everything goes to plan, the memorial could be unveiled next summer.
Meanwhile, talks have been carried out with Mental Health Aberdeen.
It is hoped the charity will create a new group aimed at promoting and developing the gardens as a wellbeing centre.
Remembering Together is managed by Greenspace Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
It was first announced by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in March 2021.
The programme will see artists work alongside partners, communities and those most affected by covid to co-create public artworks across the country.
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