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Cardiarms
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21-Oct-2008 13:00:01
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On the Leeds Art Gallery Website:
Note from Gateshead Council:
The Angel of the North is a major attraction to visitors.
It was the vision of Gateshead Council to create a landmark sculpture at the entrance to Tyneside, which culminated in The Angel of the North. Its wide, open arms greet visitors as they reach Gateshead, whether they come by road or rail.
A major attraction
Over 150,000 a year visit the site to see the awe-inspiring sculpture close up.
The scale cannot fail to impress, at 20 metres (65 feet) it is more than the height of four double decker buses.
Its wings are 54 metres (175 feet) wide - almost as long as the wings of a Jumbo jet.
To people living and working nearby it appears on a much more human scale. Its silhouette at the head of the Team Valley is no more imposing than - but just as impressive as - other hilltop landmarks such as the Penshaw Monument.
The Angel also has a warm, appealing colour. It is of a special weather resistant steel which contains copper. The surface oxidises to form a patina, which mellows with age to a rich red brown colour.
The Angel is now also one of the 12 official 'Icons of England' in a major government-sponsored Culture Online project.
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Si
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Thanks, Cardiarms. It could have been us.
What would Paris be without the Eiffel Tower? The Statue of Liberty now represents the gateway to an entire continent - to name but two similar landmarks. Both these international icons were villified when first planned - the Eiffel Tower was meant to be a temporary structure, and the US only went ahead with Liberty, because it was a gift from France...
If they were left to a (money inspired) public vote, I doubt either would exist today, and the world would be a poorer place for it...
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Si
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Cue SFX: wind noise, distant bell toll... 
| Si wrote: |
The proposed Leeds Brick Man, made from recycled bricks, was to be 120ft high (some sources state 180ft - the Angel of the North is 60ft) and would have stood in the Holbeck railway triangle, marking the true gateway to the north. Just over 20 years ago, the plans were rejected, partly by public poll. However, with hindsight, perhaps we should have gone ahead. I think so anyway. Yes, I know it would have cost a fortune (as did the Angel of the North) but it would really have put Leeds on the map, and rendered all the other provincial public sculptures pointless. (It would have cost £600K, but compared to the Cross Gates gates at £143K, it doesn't sound too bad for Britain's (by far) largest sculpture.)
As it happens, Manchester have recently taken an interest in the project...
Has Leeds missed the boat again? I apologise if this has been covered in the past, but what do other SL people think? Am I a lone voice? |
"...and some fell on stoney ground..."
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chameleon
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Leeds
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29-Mar-2007 22:46:49
Posted:
3607 posts
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| Si wrote: |
Cue SFX: wind noise, distant bell toll...
| Si wrote: |
The proposed Leeds Brick Man, made from recycled bricks, was to be 120ft high (some sources state 180ft - the Angel of the North is 60ft) and would have stood in the Holbeck railway triangle, marking the true gateway to the north. Just over 20 years ago, the plans were rejected, partly by public poll. However, with hindsight, perhaps we should have gone ahead. I think so anyway. Yes, I know it would have cost a fortune (as did the Angel of the North) but it would really have put Leeds on the map, and rendered all the other provincial public sculptures pointless. (It would have cost £600K, but compared to the Cross Gates gates at £143K, it doesn't sound too bad for Britain's (by far) largest sculpture.)
As it happens, Manchester have recently taken an interest in the project...
Has Leeds missed the boat again? I apologise if this has been covered in the past, but what do other SL people think? Am I a lone voice? |
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Cross Gates on Sunday afternoon?
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raveydavey
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Location:
Leeds
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22-Mar-2007 20:29:07
Posted:
1118 posts
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
Cue SFX: wind noise, distant bell toll...
| Si wrote: |
The proposed Leeds Brick Man, made from recycled bricks, was to be 120ft high (some sources state 180ft - the Angel of the North is 60ft) and would have stood in the Holbeck railway triangle, marking the true gateway to the north. Just over 20 years ago, the plans were rejected, partly by public poll. However, with hindsight, perhaps we should have gone ahead. I think so anyway. Yes, I know it would have cost a fortune (as did the Angel of the North) but it would really have put Leeds on the map, and rendered all the other provincial public sculptures pointless. (It would have cost £600K, but compared to the Cross Gates gates at £143K, it doesn't sound too bad for Britain's (by far) largest sculpture.)
As it happens, Manchester have recently taken an interest in the project...
Has Leeds missed the boat again? I apologise if this has been covered in the past, but what do other SL people think? Am I a lone voice? |
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Cross Gates on Sunday afternoon? |
Just for reference, how tall would 120ft (or indeed 180ft) compare to the tower blocks that have been built or are underway / planned for Granary Wharf and the area around Holbeck Triangle?
Would I be right in guessing that 120ft would be about a 10 or 12 storey building?
Obviously if the Brick Man had been built then subsequent planning permissions may have been very different to what we have now, but lets not forget the council were quite happy to let the developers dwarf and mask the famous Tower Works chimneys.
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Si
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That's a very good point, Davey.
Incidentally, at one time, the Towers were visible from my old office window, but were obscured by the new "flying saucer" building.
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dogduke
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'LIFTED' from the current issue of Private Eye.
MAGIC ROUNDABOUT.
Two roundabouts leading to the site of MediaCityUK are
being tarted up by Salford city council at the staggering cost
of £3m.
The first,near the M602,is having £1.6m spent on its makeover.
The council hopes it will help the'development of the roundabout
as a destination'.It will feature such must see delights as 'resin bonded
gravel''functional lighting' and 'vandal poroof plaques'in the subway.
The second phase ,costing more than £1.5m will see some new plants
and crossings on a smaller roundabout,plus a 'super crossing' and some 'architectural lighting'on the main road leading to MediaCity.
Altogether the Quays Gateway is costing £3.24m via a grant from the
North West Regional Development Agency.,plus nearly £170,000
for ten years maintenance,plus an option of around £400,000 to
drag listed dock side cranes from the quays to theM602 roundabout
for added 'destination'value.
If this doesn't win over BBC staff reluctant to move from London to Salford,what will?
I think Cross Gates got off lightly really.
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chameleon
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Frightening really - One is left wondering where priorities lie.
Doubtless we will be told that budget was ringfenced for such things, which begs the question of why some practical and beneficial service could not have seen the money.
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Si
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With reference to the Brick Man comments on the "Food For Thought" thread, just thought I'd resurrect this thread to save Phill searching for it! I don't know how to post into the other thread - perhaps Chameleon knows how?
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Phill_dvsn
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Leeds
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Rightly so Si. And i'm with you 100% about the Brickman.
I thought it was a brilliant design 20 years ago. I can't believe it didn't go ahead. I think it would have fitted in perfectly with the tower works landmarks too. It was in a brilliant position to visitors of Leeds. That triangle of railway land is basically dead. Nothing other than a landmark can be built on there really. It would have been nicely weathered in by now as well.
I think a campaign to bring back the Brickman should be started lol
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Si
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Yeah, I remember seeing Gormley's maquette of the Brick Man in Leeds Art Gallery years ago and thinking it would be fantastic. When I discovered how big it was to be, and that the council were thinking about actually building it, I thought, "At last! Leeds will be put back on the map!" What a disappointment when it was binned...
Also, it was to be constructed with reclaimed bricks from the Holbeck/Wortley "slum" clearances. Recycling, years before it became fashionable!!!
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Phill_dvsn
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Leeds
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21-Feb-2007 10:17:09
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1297 posts
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| Si wrote: |
Yeah, I remember seeing Gormley's maquette of the Brick Man in Leeds Art Gallery years ago and thinking it would be fantastic. When I discovered how big it was to be, and that the council were thinking about actually building it, I thought, "At last! Leeds will be put back on the map!" What a disappointment when it was binned...
Also, it was to be constructed with reclaimed bricks from the Holbeck/Wortley "slum" clearances. Recycling, years before it became fashionable!!! |
You hit the nail on the head Si. My sentiments exactly.
Wow. Leeds is doing something unique, different at last.
No surprise it went no further than the Y.E.P story and drawing stage AGAIN!
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chameleon
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| Si wrote: |
| With reference to the Brick Man comments on the "Food For Thought" thread, just thought I'd resurrect this thread to save Phill searching for it! I don't know how to post into the other thread - perhaps Chameleon knows how? |
Whats you trying to put where Si?
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Brunel
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Brick man............ Supertram
All in the same wastebin
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Phill_dvsn
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| Brunel wrote: |
Brick man............ Supertram
All in the same wastebin |
That's an excellent name for a pop band
Pity it's at the expense of Leeds misfortune tho lol
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tilly
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leeds
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Phill is now a man of many faces we have lost Mr Cool LOL
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cnosni
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| Phill_dvsn wrote: |
| Brunel wrote: |
Brick man............ Supertram
All in the same wastebin |
That's an excellent name for a pop band
Pity it's at the expense of Leeds misfortune tho lol |
I like that Phil,it has a ring to it.
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Si
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3395 posts
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
| With reference to the Brick Man comments on the "Food For Thought" thread, just thought I'd resurrect this thread to save Phill searching for it! I don't know how to post into the other thread - perhaps Chameleon knows how? |
Whats you trying to put where Si? |
I was trying to post my earlier comments about the Brick Man from this thread onto the Food For Thought thread. However, by resurrecting this thread, there's now no need. Thanks Steve.
PS I've figured out how to do it myself now, anyway!
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jim
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I feel a rant coming on. While I agree wholeheartedly with those who would like to see an iconic public art work for Leeds, and have no objection to the vast sum of money required for such a project ----------I can't agree that the Brickman is worthy of my support (I can barely keep my trousers up!)
What is it supposed to represent? The artists ego? He appears to be attempting to be try to populate the whole planet with his repeated image, and despite my number two son's involvement in the moulding and casting of thirty or forty of his smaller versions, it isn't an idea I wish to further.
The Human Race as superman? Nietzschean ideals hold no attraction for me.
Man as despoiler of the planet? Not something we should wish to claim for Leeds, unless we want to commemorate the Service Crew.
Ozymandias? Shelley has already done it better. And we'd have to wait a while for the full effect.
Leeds as twentieth or so subscriber to the Gormlean vision? Surely we want to be FIRST! Lets have a far superior inspirational work for the best place in the country.
Finally, I have no wish to fall out with anyone over this, but feel the need to let my views be known. Your views are of course just as valid and we shall have to agree to disagree.
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Si
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Hi Jim. Don't worry, you're not falling out with anyone!
The point is, Leeds would have been the first.
Also, as for Neitchze's superman - art, and it's interpretation, is in the eye of the beholder.
(PS I wondered why there was a reference to Ozymandias on the bottom of your posts!)
Here's Shelley's poem in full:
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command
Tell that it's sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
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jim
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Even had we been first I can see no merit in the idea other than Gormley's re-interpretation of "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World". If anyone can give me a better reason for The Brickman concept I am all agog and waiting with bated breath etc etc.
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Si
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I wouldn't want to go into a discussion on the interpretation of the Brickman (or any art) on a website for two reasons: Life's too short, and these discussions have gone on since - well, Ozymandias' day. And secondly, like religion and politics, they can degenerate into heated arguments all too quickly, especially in this narrow, virtual format.
This isn't a cop-out. I'd enjoy a pleasant face-to-face chat about it anytime, Jim!
But, as you said, we'll agree to disagree!
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jim
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I'd love a face-to-face natter Si--about life, the universe etc etc. I've lots of spare time and a bus and train pass. You pick a time and neutral ground!
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Si
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| jim wrote: |
| I'd love a face-to-face natter Si--about life, the universe etc etc. I've lots of spare time and a bus and train pass. You pick a time and neutral ground! |
Thursday? One o'clock? The Palace?
I could show you where Ozymandias' twin sons (the Crown Court skulls) used to live!!!
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jim
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See you there and then Si. I'll post here if For any reason I can't make it. (I'm presuming you mean the Palace down Kirkgate, just past the Parish Church of St Peter)
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