Big-headed Art

About a year ago, as I was gazing out the window of a coach whilst heading down the M62, I saw what I thought was a giant white head on a hill gazing right back at me. And then it was gone, we'd passed, and I had no idea what, why and even IF it was there. But of course, it was. I look out for it each time I pass, and it literally is a huge sculpture of a head. It wasn't until I was watching Channel 4's Big Art programme that I discovered the 20 metres high 'Dream' was designed by Jaume Plensa. It takes the form of the head of a girl with her eyes closed, in a seemingly dream-like state. The artist intended the sculpture to represent looking towards a brighter future and creating a beautiful place on what was a former spoiler heap.



I think the piece is highly inspirational and the 'brighter future' is well-represented as Dream pays no attention to the relics of heavy industry around - or beneath - her. Her zen-like meditation will remain no matter what.

Superlambanana-rama

When I first saw the 17-foot original Superlambanana, I thought it was a total eyesore and couldn't think of any reasonable excuse for its hideous design. However, after my first - and possibly unfair - judgement it seems that the statue has actually proven quite successful in raising awareness within Liverpool. Although its usual colour is yellow, the Superlambanana has occasionally been repainted in order to sponsor certain causes - for example purple during the Smoke-free Liverpool campaign, and pink in support for a breast cancer awareness charity.

After my initial hatred for the Superlambanana, I couldn't help but join the thousands of people in 2008 scouring Liverpool for one of the 125 replicas created during the European Capital of Culture. I still can't say I like the design of the statue, but I'll tolerate it due to the impression it has had on Liverpool, and the causes that it has successfully sponsored.

The original Superlambanana remains in Liverpool, some of the replicas have been auctioned off, and others can be seen in Museums countrywide.

Mene Mene or just mean?

I found this signpost down by the canal in Leeds. After being originally dumbstruck, I researched it and discovered that it's part of an art project (Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin) by two Christian artists. The Biblical quotes are placed in various locations around Leeds including paving stones, park benches and billboards. Reportedly, the public have been taken aback by some of the chosen quotes such as 'Blessed are the breasts' and 'You are a rock'. I find the whole thing rather entertaining, especially when they're placed in the right place: 'The hairs on your head are numbered' - Outside Toni and Guy hairdresser's. Witty yes?

2012 Sham?

It's a debate that's been going on since 2005 when Britain won the international competition to host the 2012 Olympic games. I for one agree with thousands that Britain simply can't afford to hold the games, and it is likely to look like an amateur school fete in comparison to Beijing's stunning - yet extortionate - display in 2008.

China spent a reported $44 billion hosting the games last year, whilst Britain's budget has already been pushed to an estimated $17.4 billion, $981.8 million of which has been spent on building the stadium alone.

I struggle to see the logic here, as surely a city with an existing stadium, the required free space and even half of the money needed to host the games would have been a much more practical winner.

Britain faces both future financial problems and the fear of another terrorist attack, not to mention the embarrassment of hosting a much less spectacular event than the previous years' - although let's face it, it was pretty much set to be a disaster when the 2012 logo was released.

Liverpool One

'The Paradise Project' aimed to redevelop a large section of underutilised land in Liverpool City Centre, beginning in 2008 during Liverpool's year of European Capital of Culture. A £500 million reconstruction meant that the 42 acres of land - previously consisting of a bus station, a car park and large areas of wasteland - has now become an economy-boosting retail led project, also including a huge leisure complex.


The design style of Liverpool One is much more modern than the rest of the city centre, with two floors of popular (mostly expensive) retail stores, and even outdoor escalators. It has recently been shortlisted for the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Stirling Prize 2009, the winner of which is to be announced in October 2009.

It's certainly an experience visiting Liverpool One, but I often wonder if it's really worth all the money that was spent on it. After all, the project has ensured duplication of many of the shops already existing in Liverpool City Centre, and has been criticised for alienating local business' (ie. Lewis' Department Store), and generally moving the location of Liverpool's central shopping district, creating empty units across the rest of Liverpool.

There's no question that the project has lifted Liverpool in the ranking of British retail destinations, however it's definitely caused a fall in the success of other businesses in the rest of the city centre. It's easy to see where the £500 million has been spent, but I'm not sure the simple - slightly tacky - Liverpool One logo reflects the project's high class and distinction.

York Cells

A visit to York Castle Museum was recently recommended to me, due to the £200,000 refurbishment that has been carried out on the York Cell's, and so I jumped at the chance.

As Museums go, it's actually pretty interesting - showing the change from Victorian life right up until today. Even the 1960s section is worth a look. But what about the actual reason I went... those cells. Let's put it this way... they were underground, dark, dingy, cold and spooky; and that was it. I suppose everything you'd expect a prison to be... if you were a criminal. As a visitor, I went expecting detailed information of the criminals who were kept there, and the conditions that they were kept in. However, the modern revamp meant that instead of written information, each cell contained a projection of an actor dressed as a criminal, moaning about being unrightfully locked up.

Well, as you'd expect I was less than impressed. Neither I, nor anyone else there could be bothered standing in each cell listening to the entire monologue of this person who was never actually imprisoned there. I'd heard that Dick Turpin had been kept there, and sure enough there 'he' was, in a cell, talking about how he shouldn't be there... Not exactly want I went to hear.

I'm surprised that this refurbishment cost £200,000, and I think a lot more could've been done with a lot less money. I paid £6.50 to see the whole Museum, which allows free admission for the rest of the year. The Museum itself was very good, but I can't say I'd walk through those less-than-average cells again even for free. In fact, you'd probably have to pay me. Or lock me up.

Camouflage Art

Whilst reading the Metro last week, I stumbled across an article entitled 'The Invisible Man'. Chinese artist Liu Bolin uses his own body as a canvas, merging his body with whatever is behind him. At first glance, I barely even realised he was stood in the foreground of the photograph, and had to read the article in order to understand what it was about.

I was amazed when I first saw Bolin's art style, as it's really unique and I've never really seen anything quite the same. Out of interest I further researched Bolin's work and discovered that the artist was removed from his studio by the Chinese government, which he claims is the inspiration of his photographs. For me, this explanation, and Bolin's claims that he is 'Hiding in the City' makes the series of photographs even more engaging and inspirational.

I think the most effective photographs include those such as the earthquake rubble shown below. The attention to detail and colour amazes me - each photograph taking more than ten hours to complete. The location options are endless with this particular type of artwork - might this be the latest street entertainment craze?? I hope so...