When a tree blew over in The Vines in a storm in '87, the artist Robert Koenig carved the stump into a sculpture of a monk to commemorate that destructive storm and also to nod towards the history of The Vines, as originally it was the location of Rochester's centrally-located monastery vineyard. The statue originally had a plaque on the front which essentially explained what I just wrote, but also, importantly, added: "Eventually the sculpture will fade, but we will replace it for perpetuity." And, in a truly appropriate and knowing manner, that plaque has since fallen away and the carving has started to fade and the statue is now crumbling from the inside. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that the Medway Council upholds their duty to eventually replace it for perpetuity. One can always hope, eh?
Photos taken in The Vines, in Rochester, UK, on October 25th, 2011.
These photos might not be available to capture in another 5 years, sadly. So if you live in the area I encourage you to come and spend some time with this local living sculpture, and then find a moment to write the council and remind them about their duty to uphold the community's culture of arts and historical preservation. Sometimes I think they may need some reminding.
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