Forest pitch hosts just two games

Craig Coulthard's design for the 'Forest Pitch'

The hidden pitch will see one game played on it

A Scots artist has been given almost £500,000 to create a football ground in a forest.

Craig Coulthard plans to fell trees to make way for the pitch, which will be used for just two games before it is allowed to disintegrate.

It is one of 12 art projects commissioned to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics.

The artist hopes "Forest Pitch" will provide a contrast to the new buildings being created for the Olympics.

Scotland based artist Craig Coulthard was selected as the Scottish winner of a £460,000 lottery funded commission, for "Artists taking the lead", a major project for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

I've worked hard to get the proposal to this stage, and I'm looking forward to to working with my team to create an exciting and worthy Scottish addition to the Cultural Olympiad

Craig Coulthard
Artist

Forest Pitch was selected by an independent panel of artists and producers from five projects shortlisted in August, out of a total of 98 Scottish entries.

There was one commission for each of the nine English regions and the nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Artist, Craig Coulthard said: "I am really proud to have been given the opportunity to complete this project; to be able to bring an initial idea to fruition, it is what I guess all artists aim for.

"I've worked hard to get the proposal to this stage, and I'm looking forward to to working with my team to create an exciting and worthy Scottish addition to the Cultural Olympiad."

Wide ranging

Judging panel member, Neil Gillespie of Reiach and Hall Architects said: "Craig Coulthard's proposition has a simple resonance for me, in contrast to the enormous logistical and infrastructural event that a modern Olympics inevitably becomes, a clearing in a forest in which a game of football is played out by amateurs is both appealing and provocative."

Jim Tough, chief executive of the Scottish Arts Council said: "These 12 extraordinary projects redefine what public art will mean in 2012.

"From spectacular events and monumental installations to very personal explorations of culture and creativity, the active involvement of individuals and communities will be key to their success and we look forward to seeing many more people encouraged to enjoy the arts through this the most ambitious and wide ranging art commission in the UK. "

London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The winning commissions will be the catalyst for a truly national showcase of culture inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

"Each project will explore the nation and region's creativity as part of a UK-wide celebration of London 2012."

'Forest Pitch' is going to be located in the the Borders area due to the significant forested area in that location.

Craig will be working closely with woodland partners to pinpoint the exact site and this will be announced at a later date.