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Spectacular artwork unveiled
THE ST Helens Star can exclusively reveal the first image of the stunning artwork that promises to become an iconic landmark for the North West of England.
Created by internationally renowned Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, the spectacular piece entitled 'Dream', will sit on top of the former Sutton Manor Colliery overlooking the M62.
At 20 metres high (65 feet), which is the same height as Antony Gormley's Angel of the North, 'Dream' will be made from pre-cast concrete with a white almost luminescent finish, using a white marble/concrete mix. The pale colour is seen as a contrast to the blackness of the coal that still lies beneath the surface. 'Dream' takes the form of the head of a girl, her eyes closed in quiet contemplation.
It is the culmination of conversations between the artist, former miners and members of the wider local community who wanted something that looked to a brighter future and created a beautiful and contemplative space for future generations
It is being commissioned by St Helens Council as part of The Big Art Project, a public art initiative from Channel 4 supported by Arts Council England and The Art Fund.
The progress of 'Dream' is being filmed for The Big Art Project, which is due to be aired later this year. 'Dream' will launch, subject to planning permission and project progress, in late 2008.
Jaume Plensa said: "My work is first and foremost about celebrating life and the human experience of standing in between past and present, present and future, knowledge and ignorance. I fell in love with this site in St Helens as soon as I saw it! The spectacular setting, proud heritage, vision for the future and the warmth, humour and passion of the former miners I have met are all truly inspirational.
"To have been invited to capture the essence, hopes and aspirations of a whole community on this scale is a great honour but also an awesome responsibility."
Former Sutton Manor miner Gary Conley added: "Thanks to this fantastic artist Jaume Plensa, I believe we have a piece of artwork that not only reflects the past heritage of the site but also projects into the future. Sutton Manor Colliery may never produce coal again, but now because of this wonderful piece of artwork, its soul and millions of memories will live on."
Council Leader Brian Spencer commented: "This landmark aims to not only put St Helens on the map, but also to have a major positive impact on the rest of Merseyside and the North West in terms of the significant and cultural benefits it will bring."
11:55am Wednesday 7th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: kv, st h on 1:50pm Wed 7 May 08
Is that where my council tax is going ? Is the funding of this monument by St Helens council tax payers at the heart of the best interests of our community ? How about funding a new stadium for the Saints, an A & E department for St helens hospital, funding for activities to keep kids off the streets on a night, funding for more policing of our streets by community officers, keeping schools open that will otherwise be closed. Who on earth is in charge of our purse strings
Is that where my council tax is going ? Is the funding of this monument by St Helens council tax payers at the heart of the best interests of our community ? How about funding a new stadium for the Saints, an A & E department for St helens hospital, funding for activities to keep kids off the streets on a night, funding for more policing of our streets by community officers, keeping schools open that will otherwise be closed. Who on earth is in charge of our purse strings
Posted by: ellyz, st helens on 1:54pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]kv[/bold] wrote:
Is that where my council tax is going ? Is the funding of this monument by St Helens council tax payers at the heart of the best interests of our community ? How about funding a new stadium for the Saints, an A & E department for St helens hospital, funding for activities to keep kids off the streets on a night, funding for more policing of our streets by community officers, keeping schools open that will otherwise be closed. Who on earth is in charge of our purse strings[/quote] well said
kv wrote:
Is that where my council tax is going ? Is the funding of this monument by St Helens council tax payers at the heart of the best interests of our community ? How about funding a new stadium for the Saints, an A & E department for St helens hospital, funding for activities to keep kids off the streets on a night, funding for more policing of our streets by community officers, keeping schools open that will otherwise be closed. Who on earth is in charge of our purse strings
well said
Posted by: Stephen Wainwright, Sutton on 2:22pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]ellyz[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]kv[/bold] wrote:
Is that where my council tax is going ? Is the funding of this monument by St Helens council tax payers at the heart of the best interests of our community ? How about funding a new stadium for the Saints, an A & E department for St helens hospital, funding for activities to keep kids off the streets on a night, funding for more policing of our streets by community officers, keeping schools open that will otherwise be closed. Who on earth is in charge of our purse strings[/quote] well said
[/quote] None of the cost will come from the Council Tax. The Big Art Project in St.Helens is covered by grants from the Forestry Commission, Arts Council etc etc. This money would probably have gone down south if it hadn't been for the hard work of the ex-miners and others on the steering group who've won it.
I think Plensa's creation looks stunning. It will be subject to a planning application like every other building and structure, so raise your objections then if you so wish.
Well done to everyone concerned. I wonder how vandal-proof it will be though!
Stephen Wainwright
ellyz wrote:
kv wrote:
Is that where my council tax is going ? Is the funding of this monument by St Helens council tax payers at the heart of the best interests of our community ? How about funding a new stadium for the Saints, an A & E department for St helens hospital, funding for activities to keep kids off the streets on a night, funding for more policing of our streets by community officers, keeping schools open that will otherwise be closed. Who on earth is in charge of our purse strings
well said
None of the cost will come from the Council Tax. The Big Art Project in St.Helens is covered by grants from the Forestry Commission, Arts Council etc etc. This money would probably have gone down south if it hadn't been for the hard work of the ex-miners and others on the steering group who've won it.
I think Plensa's creation looks stunning. It will be subject to a planning application like every other building and structure, so raise your objections then if you so wish.
Well done to everyone concerned. I wonder how vandal-proof it will be though!
Stephen Wainwright
Posted by: kev jones on 2:22pm Wed 7 May 08
So it's a big white girl's head? to help celebrate our former mining industry?
So it's a big white girl's head? to help celebrate our former mining industry?
Posted by: kv, st h on 3:02pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]kev jones[/bold] wrote:
So it's a big white girl's head? to help celebrate our former mining industry?[/quote] Clearly obvious, don't you think. Thousands of poeple will brave the seven sea's from far & wide, every corner of the globe to marvel at such a majestic wonder, and wonder...........? What, Why, How much did that cost, Who was the numpty that paid for it & how on earth do you think you will benefit form a "big girl's white concrete & marble head with eyes closed dreaming of being some where else right now remember coal mining" in this day and age ?
kev jones wrote:
So it's a big white girl's head? to help celebrate our former mining industry?
Clearly obvious, don't you think. Thousands of poeple will brave the seven sea's from far & wide, every corner of the globe to marvel at such a majestic wonder, and wonder...........? What, Why, How much did that cost, Who was the numpty that paid for it & how on earth do you think you will benefit form a "big girl's white concrete & marble head with eyes closed dreaming of being some where else right now remember coal mining" in this day and age ?
Posted by: Steve D, st helens on 3:20pm Wed 7 May 08
Im not one of these whos going to rant about 'our taxes' and 'waste of money' and so forth, as I think culture is to be encouraged, as is any attempt to put our town on the map for any positive reasons.
However I must echo the earlier statements: Its a big, stretched girls head.
What in gods name has that got to do with our town, how does it represent the mining industry and what is the thinking behind it? Im sure its an inspirational piece artistically, but fail to see ANY link between this and its supposed purpose. Strikes me as the artist using the premise of the town/coal mining to acquire the funding to satisfy his artistic needs and forgetting what his original brief is.
Im not one of these whos going to rant about 'our taxes' and 'waste of money' and so forth, as I think culture is to be encouraged, as is any attempt to put our town on the map for any positive reasons.
However I must echo the earlier statements: Its a big, stretched girls head.
What in gods name has that got to do with our town, how does it represent the mining industry and what is the thinking behind it? Im sure its an inspirational piece artistically, but fail to see ANY link between this and its supposed purpose. Strikes me as the artist using the premise of the town/coal mining to acquire the funding to satisfy his artistic needs and forgetting what his original brief is.
Posted by: Stephen Wainwright, Sutton on 3:22pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]kv[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]kev jones[/bold] wrote:
So it's a big white girl's head? to help celebrate our former mining industry?[/quote] Clearly obvious, don't you think. Thousands of poeple will brave the seven sea's from far & wide, every corner of the globe to marvel at such a majestic wonder, and wonder...........? What, Why, How much did that cost, Who was the numpty that paid for it & how on earth do you think you will benefit form a "big girl's white concrete & marble head with eyes closed dreaming of being some where else right now remember coal mining" in this day and age ?[/quote] Right from the outset some 18 months ago it was said that it would not be a literal interpretation of mining.
Art is subjective. Just because you don't like it or understand it doesn't mean that others won't.
kv wrote:
kev jones wrote:
So it's a big white girl's head? to help celebrate our former mining industry?
Clearly obvious, don't you think. Thousands of poeple will brave the seven sea's from far & wide, every corner of the globe to marvel at such a majestic wonder, and wonder...........? What, Why, How much did that cost, Who was the numpty that paid for it & how on earth do you think you will benefit form a "big girl's white concrete & marble head with eyes closed dreaming of being some where else right now remember coal mining" in this day and age ?
Right from the outset some 18 months ago it was said that it would not be a literal interpretation of mining.
Art is subjective. Just because you don't like it or understand it doesn't mean that others won't.
Posted by: Steve D, st helens on 3:41pm Wed 7 May 08
Stephen,
No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit.
I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining.
By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.
Stephen,
No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit.
I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining.
By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.
Posted by: Stephen Wainwright on 3:53pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Steve D[/bold] wrote:
Stephen,
No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit.
I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining.
By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.[/quote] This is the brief Steve which has been in the public domain for quite some time. I can't see how the artist has breached it. I think the keyword is 'reference'.
• Make a big impact & be highly visible both day & night
• Become a recognised & instantly recognisable "geographic & brand identifier" for St.Helens
• Become a positive icon for the Liverpool City Region & North West England
• Reference the history & heritage of the site and former colliery
• Symbolise the positive transformation, regeneration, & future of St.Helens
• Become an "informal" visitor destination in its own right
• Act as a catalyst for the recreation & leisure development of the immediate area
• Foster community pride & help raise local aspirations
• Reference &/or consider the use of renewable energy
• Be permanent & low-maintenance
• Take account of the site's topography, ground conditions, existing planting & wildlife
• Be capable of construction & installation within the set budget & time frame
Steve D wrote:
Stephen,
No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit.
I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining.
By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.
This is the brief Steve which has been in the public domain for quite some time. I can't see how the artist has breached it. I think the keyword is 'reference'.
• Make a big impact & be highly visible both day & night
• Become a recognised & instantly recognisable "geographic & brand identifier" for St.Helens
• Become a positive icon for the Liverpool City Region & North West England
• Reference the history & heritage of the site and former colliery
• Symbolise the positive transformation, regeneration, & future of St.Helens
• Become an "informal" visitor destination in its own right
• Act as a catalyst for the recreation & leisure development of the immediate area
• Foster community pride & help raise local aspirations
• Reference &/or consider the use of renewable energy
• Be permanent & low-maintenance
• Take account of the site's topography, ground conditions, existing planting & wildlife
• Be capable of construction & installation within the set budget & time frame
Posted by: kv, st h on 3:56pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Steve D[/bold] wrote:
Stephen, No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit. I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining. By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.[/quote] Think you have hit the nail on the head there Steve.
Steve D wrote:
Stephen, No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit. I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining. By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.
Think you have hit the nail on the head there Steve.
Posted by: Steve D, st helens on 4:02pm Wed 7 May 08
But exactly how does it 'reference' the heritage of the site and former colliery?
Lets review the artists descriptive words:
'The pale colour is seen as a contrast to the blackness of the coal that still lies beneath the surface' - Meaningless nonsense. An artistic contrast to something that cant be seen, and even if did remind people of the coal beneath the surface, then its hardly positive 'you all lost your jobs, but the product is still there...lets celebrate'
'her eyes closed in quiet contemplation' - Im certain anyone who worked at the colliery in the old days will remember working non stop in all sorts of filth, no sitting contemplating, and again any contemplating done on the site will be of how a former massive local employer has gone and been replaced by a white elephant.
'warmth, humour and passion of the former miners I have met are all truly inspirational' - How does this design encompass those aspects of the former workers? It is neither warm (cold and clinical colour), humourous (eyes closed, distant figure) or passion (she couldnt look more disspassionate if she tried)
Granted it ticks all the other boxes from the original remit, but my issue is why they even pretend its anyway linked to the old colliery and in some way keeping the memory of the site alive when its blatantly completely unrelated and just an excuse to lump a big piece of art in a very noticeable location.
But exactly how does it 'reference' the heritage of the site and former colliery?
Lets review the artists descriptive words:
'The pale colour is seen as a contrast to the blackness of the coal that still lies beneath the surface' - Meaningless nonsense. An artistic contrast to something that cant be seen, and even if did remind people of the coal beneath the surface, then its hardly positive 'you all lost your jobs, but the product is still there...lets celebrate'
'her eyes closed in quiet contemplation' - Im certain anyone who worked at the colliery in the old days will remember working non stop in all sorts of filth, no sitting contemplating, and again any contemplating done on the site will be of how a former massive local employer has gone and been replaced by a white elephant.
'warmth, humour and passion of the former miners I have met are all truly inspirational' - How does this design encompass those aspects of the former workers? It is neither warm (cold and clinical colour), humourous (eyes closed, distant figure) or passion (she couldnt look more disspassionate if she tried)
Granted it ticks all the other boxes from the original remit, but my issue is why they even pretend its anyway linked to the old colliery and in some way keeping the memory of the site alive when its blatantly completely unrelated and just an excuse to lump a big piece of art in a very noticeable location.
Posted by: Kev Jones on 4:09pm Wed 7 May 08
can I just add i'm not opposed to art, I think it has an important role in improving the quality of life-even if it is paid for by taxes.But I'm not impressed by the design, my eight year old daughter has something very similar in her bedroom and she puts wigs and make up on it.It's hardly imaginative is it?
can I just add i'm not opposed to art, I think it has an important role in improving the quality of life-even if it is paid for by taxes.But I'm not impressed by the design, my eight year old daughter has something very similar in her bedroom and she puts wigs and make up on it.It's hardly imaginative is it?
Posted by: kv, st h on 4:14pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Stephen Wainwright[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Steve D[/bold] wrote: Stephen, No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit. I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining. By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.[/quote] This is the brief Steve which has been in the public domain for quite some time. I can't see how the artist has breached it. I think the keyword is 'reference'. • Make a big impact & be highly visible both day & night • Become a recognised & instantly recognisable "geographic & brand identifier" for St.Helens • Become a positive icon for the Liverpool City Region & North West England • Reference the history & heritage of the site and former colliery • Symbolise the positive transformation, regeneration, & future of St.Helens • Become an "informal" visitor destination in its own right • Act as a catalyst for the recreation & leisure development of the immediate area • Foster community pride & help raise local aspirations • Reference &/or consider the use of renewable energy • Be permanent & low-maintenance • Take account of the site's topography, ground conditions, existing planting & wildlife • Be capable of construction & installation within the set budget & time frame [/quote] Other than being highly visible day & night, I can't see how the rest of this brief is to be acomplished. You can try till you are blue in the face but you will not convince me that any benifit will be gained.
A fool and his money are easily parted.
Stephen Wainwright wrote:
Steve D wrote: Stephen, No one expects a literal piece of artwork, after all nobody wants to see a 20 metre piece of machinery or filthy minor trudging up at the end of a 14 hour shift, but I fail to see how this is even representative or open to correct interpretation. Infact, the artist himself comes out with a load of meaningless buzz words and rubbish and cannot link it properly to the project remit. I venture to guess hes had this design for years waiting for someone to fund him and the organisers have fallen hook, line and sinker for his explanation of how it ties in to the coal mining. By all means request a piece of art, by all means make it big bold and special - but dont launch it under the premise that it somehow is to represent one of our finest heritages and industries when it in no way does.
This is the brief Steve which has been in the public domain for quite some time. I can't see how the artist has breached it. I think the keyword is 'reference'. • Make a big impact & be highly visible both day & night • Become a recognised & instantly recognisable "geographic & brand identifier" for St.Helens • Become a positive icon for the Liverpool City Region & North West England • Reference the history & heritage of the site and former colliery • Symbolise the positive transformation, regeneration, & future of St.Helens • Become an "informal" visitor destination in its own right • Act as a catalyst for the recreation & leisure development of the immediate area • Foster community pride & help raise local aspirations • Reference &/or consider the use of renewable energy • Be permanent & low-maintenance • Take account of the site's topography, ground conditions, existing planting & wildlife • Be capable of construction & installation within the set budget & time frame
Other than being highly visible day & night, I can't see how the rest of this brief is to be acomplished. You can try till you are blue in the face but you will not convince me that any benifit will be gained.
A fool and his money are easily parted.
Posted by: Ray Spruance, St Helens on 4:23pm Wed 7 May 08
Its a pity we did not know about this terrible waste of money last Wednesday and not today, we could have shown what we think of the idea and the council at the ballot boxes.
Its a pity we did not know about this terrible waste of money last Wednesday and not today, we could have shown what we think of the idea and the council at the ballot boxes.
Posted by: Steve D, st helens on 4:27pm Wed 7 May 08
In defence of the project, please note the response above where it was stated that their will be no financial impact directly from the town and therefore despite the many causes for negativity people have got 'waste of money' is not really a valid one.
In defence of the project, please note the response above where it was stated that their will be no financial impact directly from the town and therefore despite the many causes for negativity people have got 'waste of money' is not really a valid one.
Posted by: Spike, St Helens on 7:11pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Steve D[/bold] wrote:
In defence of the project, please note the response above where it was stated that their will be no financial impact directly from the town and therefore despite the many causes for negativity people have got 'waste of money' is not really a valid one.[/quote] I agree that a literal interpretation would not be to everyones taste, but surely they could have come up with something better than....that.
A stadium would have been nice lol
Steve D wrote:
In defence of the project, please note the response above where it was stated that their will be no financial impact directly from the town and therefore despite the many causes for negativity people have got 'waste of money' is not really a valid one.
I agree that a literal interpretation would not be to everyones taste, but surely they could have come up with something better than....that.
A stadium would have been nice lol
Posted by: D Barton, St Helens on 7:11pm Wed 7 May 08
I have just seen the statue on the local news, it is not what I expected but better than I thought the council would agree to. I will reserve judgement until it has been erected and what it looks like in situ. There is something pleasant about the girls head and I think it will bring in people to see it from a large area. It is just a pity that it is where it is. Nothing in the area to encourage people to return again and again.[italic]italic[/italic]
I have just seen the statue on the local news, it is not what I expected but better than I thought the council would agree to. I will reserve judgement until it has been erected and what it looks like in situ. There is something pleasant about the girls head and I think it will bring in people to see it from a large area. It is just a pity that it is where it is. Nothing in the area to encourage people to return again and again.
Posted by: peter, saints lancs on 11:24pm Wed 7 May 08
What the hell is the Liverpool City Region! This is St Helens we are not a part of Liverpool.
What the hell is the Liverpool City Region! This is St Helens we are not a part of Liverpool.
Posted by: Alfiesays, St Helens on 12:03am Thu 8 May 08
What is this! Are we living in St Helens or Easter Island. This self indulgent rubbish will make us the laughing stock of other local towns. It will look like the rest of it is buried underground. Having said that we have already got the 'Big Hand' on the roundabout near B & Q, now the 'Big Head', are there anymore big body parts to appear round the town....or shouldn't I ask
What is this! Are we living in St Helens or Easter Island. This self indulgent rubbish will make us the laughing stock of other local towns. It will look like the rest of it is buried underground. Having said that we have already got the 'Big Hand' on the roundabout near B & Q, now the 'Big Head', are there anymore big body parts to appear round the town....or shouldn't I ask
Posted by: Mark2008, St Helens, windle on 8:20am Thu 8 May 08
We just had local elections were you had your chance to vote wonder how many of the above tax complainers actually did, if you want to talk about the actual sculpture its self its got to be better than the needle in the town centre by the hardshaw centre what does that make people wonder town full of Dealers and Druggies ???????????
We just had local elections were you had your chance to vote wonder how many of the above tax complainers actually did, if you want to talk about the actual sculpture its self its got to be better than the needle in the town centre by the hardshaw centre what does that make people wonder town full of Dealers and Druggies ???????????
Posted by: William Ball, marbella spain on 8:21am Thu 8 May 08
Why dont you all put in a Partion in,
Like Morrisons have done with Saints new Stadium,What a COMPLETE waste of Money,
(whoever) money it is,We should live in the Future not the past,The days of mining went out with the Steam Age[quote]quote[/quote]
Why dont you all put in a Partion in,
Like Morrisons have done with Saints new Stadium,What a COMPLETE waste of Money,
(whoever) money it is,We should live in the Future not the past,The days of mining went out with the Steam Age
quote
Posted by: ellyz, St.Helens on 10:20am Thu 8 May 08
They could always just move that big one in town that supposed to be about coaling isn't it, give it a change of scenery ;)
They could always just move that big one in town that supposed to be about coaling isn't it, give it a change of scenery ;)
Posted by: a davies, st helens on 11:48am Thu 8 May 08
what a waste of time, totally irrelevant. I am going to destroy it and erect a statue of Marie Rimmer and call it Nightmare.
what a waste of time, totally irrelevant. I am going to destroy it and erect a statue of Marie Rimmer and call it Nightmare.
Posted by: Disgusted, St Helens on 12:14pm Thu 8 May 08
The Council should spend its money on people who are here and now, not an industry which is dead and gone. There's many social and sporting activities which would benefit from a fraction of the sum wasted on this piece of useless rubbish. Shame on the lot of you
The Council should spend its money on people who are here and now, not an industry which is dead and gone. There's many social and sporting activities which would benefit from a fraction of the sum wasted on this piece of useless rubbish. Shame on the lot of you
Posted by: pw on 2:10pm Thu 8 May 08
not only are the council [bold]not[/bold] footing the bill but some thicko still thinks Marie Rimmer is running the council.
not only are the council
not footing the bill but some thicko still thinks Marie Rimmer is running the council.
Posted by: Susan H. Martlew, St .helens on 7:14pm Thu 8 May 08
You've said it! This is an absolute nightmare! We'll be a laughing stock. Will no-one else have it? Just pathetic.
You've said it! This is an absolute nightmare! We'll be a laughing stock. Will no-one else have it? Just pathetic.
Posted by: big doug on 9:15pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Disgusted[/bold] wrote:
The Council should spend its money on people who are here and now, not an industry which is dead and gone. There's many social and sporting activities which would benefit from a fraction of the sum wasted on this piece of useless rubbish. Shame on the lot of you[/quote] the council could have had social and sporting facilities for nothing but threw the plans out...why would you think they would have the sense to recognise this design is a dud?
Disgusted wrote:
The Council should spend its money on people who are here and now, not an industry which is dead and gone. There's many social and sporting activities which would benefit from a fraction of the sum wasted on this piece of useless rubbish. Shame on the lot of you
the council could have had social and sporting facilities for nothing but threw the plans out...why would you think they would have the sense to recognise this design is a dud?
Posted by: olliebeak, huyton, merseyside on 8:19am Fri 9 May 08
The only vague connection that I can see between that and the St.Helens Mining Industry is that it looks like a 'death mask'!
The only vague connection that I can see between that and the St.Helens Mining Industry is that it looks like a 'death mask'!
Posted by: Phil, St Helens on 1:33pm Fri 9 May 08
Why the long face? Turn it round and it's a rugby ball! Just think, 1000 years from now somebody'll find it and think we worshipped it!
Why the long face? Turn it round and it's a rugby ball! Just think, 1000 years from now somebody'll find it and think we worshipped it!
Posted by: mike, sutton manor on 3:31pm Fri 9 May 08
so every day i gona see that monument out side my window i live opposite the colliery can it get any worse kids on motor bikes no jobs in the middle of no were , ive heard the local youths saying wait till its up we,ll get portable drills for a laugh
so every day i gona see that monument out side my window i live opposite the colliery can it get any worse kids on motor bikes no jobs in the middle of no were , ive heard the local youths saying wait till its up we,ll get portable drills for a laugh
Posted by: Lancastrian, Lancashire on 4:58pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Alfiesays[/bold] wrote:
What is this! Are we living in St Helens or Easter Island. This self indulgent rubbish will make us the laughing stock of other local towns. It will look like the rest of it is buried underground. Having said that we have already got the 'Big Hand' on the roundabout near B & Q, now the 'Big Head', are there anymore big body parts to appear round the town....or shouldn't I ask[/quote] That other body part is already there, Alfie. This thing is already being called D*** Head (my censorship) on another site! Look closely at the images - that dead, decapitated head is also a giant phallus with a 9 year old girl's face...it's chilling!
In my opinion it's an unimaginative, self-indulgent, sinister monstrosity. I am sorry for anyone who may have to put up with a constant view of this thing. Just Google the artist to see his other 'work.' He's already got one of these things to his name - so linking this monster to mining appears to be absolute clap trap.
What really annoys me is the way that artful, middle-class twerps hoodwink the working-classes with this sort of game (no comparison to Mr. Plensa intended, of course). But I don't think his explanations, his interpretations, or his spin come near to being adequate, much less clever.
I hope this monster will be thrown out at planning stage. I hope that those involved in passing this thing for public display realise that they'll be approving and installing a giant phallus at the side of the M62.
Don't do it. Don't inflict this sinister decapitation on the town. Don't let us become known throughout the world as -
St Helens D*** Heads
Alfiesays wrote:
What is this! Are we living in St Helens or Easter Island. This self indulgent rubbish will make us the laughing stock of other local towns. It will look like the rest of it is buried underground. Having said that we have already got the 'Big Hand' on the roundabout near B & Q, now the 'Big Head', are there anymore big body parts to appear round the town....or shouldn't I ask
That other body part is already there, Alfie. This thing is already being called D*** Head (my censorship) on another site! Look closely at the images - that dead, decapitated head is also a giant phallus with a 9 year old girl's face...it's chilling!
In my opinion it's an unimaginative, self-indulgent, sinister monstrosity. I am sorry for anyone who may have to put up with a constant view of this thing. Just Google the artist to see his other 'work.' He's already got one of these things to his name - so linking this monster to mining appears to be absolute clap trap.
What really annoys me is the way that artful, middle-class twerps hoodwink the working-classes with this sort of game (no comparison to Mr. Plensa intended, of course). But I don't think his explanations, his interpretations, or his spin come near to being adequate, much less clever.
I hope this monster will be thrown out at planning stage. I hope that those involved in passing this thing for public display realise that they'll be approving and installing a giant phallus at the side of the M62.
Don't do it. Don't inflict this sinister decapitation on the town. Don't let us become known throughout the world as -
St Helens D*** Heads
Posted by: Cartoon Head on 5:10pm Fri 9 May 08
Steve D - even though we are not paying personally through our St Helens budget, in the long term we are all paying for this, and yes, it is a waste of money, anybodies money. As I said in the earlier column, the money would have been better spent educating children at a young age to get involved in, and appreciating art and everything around them. That way they might not grow up with the attitude of ruining things of beauty and creation.
Steve D - even though we are not paying personally through our St Helens budget, in the long term we are all paying for this, and yes, it is a waste of money, anybodies money. As I said in the earlier column, the money would have been better spent educating children at a young age to get involved in, and appreciating art and everything around them. That way they might not grow up with the attitude of ruining things of beauty and creation.
Posted by: john leonard, nutgrove st helens. on 7:24pm Fri 9 May 08
All works like this seems to get alot critism.It certainly will be a talking point.I Personally like it and cant wait to see it. I worked at sutton manor for 22yrs with great memories.this art work is for future generations. just hope it is not vandalised.
All works like this seems to get alot critism.It certainly will be a talking point.I Personally like it and cant wait to see it. I worked at sutton manor for 22yrs with great memories.this art work is for future generations. just hope it is not vandalised.
Posted by: JDC on 8:49pm Fri 9 May 08
[italic]Council Leader Brian Spencer commented: "This landmark aims to not only put St Helens on the map, but also to have a major positive impact on the rest of Merseyside and the North West in terms of the significant and cultural benefits it will bring.[/italic] "
[bold]I take it Spencer made these comments before seeing the dummy's head...[/bold]
Council Leader Brian Spencer commented: "This landmark aims to not only put St Helens on the map, but also to have a major positive impact on the rest of Merseyside and the North West in terms of the significant and cultural benefits it will bring. "
I take it Spencer made these comments before seeing the dummy's head... Posted by: Phil, St Helens on 10:27pm Fri 9 May 08
It looks like a giant version of your worst ever Christmas present (the one your auntie gave you that she won on a Blackpool bingo stall in the 1950s). It's sooooo TACKY ... maybe we ought to consider hiring someone like Julian Clary to do the unveiling?
It looks like a giant version of your worst ever Christmas present (the one your auntie gave you that she won on a Blackpool bingo stall in the 1950s). It's sooooo TACKY ... maybe we ought to consider hiring someone like Julian Clary to do the unveiling?
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