|
This summer's Olympic Games have been heralded as an opportunity for Britain to show itself off to the rest of the world.
And whether that includes running the event to a flawless schedule, offering a memorable opening ceremony, or perching a bus on top of a roof, the Games already look set to live up to their promises.
Despite its appearance of being stuck, the coach which has come to rest on the roof of the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill East Sussex isn't stranded but is just the latest in a series of innovative artworks to mark London 2012.
The unusual installation on the roof of the De La Warr Pavilion in East Sussex was inspired by 'The Italian Job'
The full-sized coach installation is hoisted delicately into place on the rooftop by crane
The unusual installation owes its inspiration to the final scene of the iconic film 'The Italian Job'.
And the artist behind the work has named the full-sized replica coach in honour of Michael Caine's last line in the 1969 movie - 'Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea...'.
Richard Wilson said that turning his idea into a reality presented a unique challenge: 'I wanted the building to be part of the work and viewing the coastal horizon made me aware of the building's edges.
'Producing this cinematic moment as a sculpture was not just about a structural daring but more a metaphor about the absolute limits of anything.
Artist Richard Wilson, pictured with his work, said creating the installation presented a unique challenge
The artwork is inspired by the final scene of 1969 film 'The Italian Job' (pictured)
'You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off': The Italian Job gifted film fans with one of the most memorable lines in cinematic history
'Being a red, white and blue coach makes it a flag-waving work for the Olympics.'
Wilson came up with the idea after being asked to imitate Antony Gormley's 'Critical Mass' artwork which was also staged on the rooftop of the De La Warr Pavilion.
Fortunately for worried residents, there will be at least eight tons of steel girders in place to ensure the vehicle stays in place on top of the East Sussex building.
Eddie Izzard, who part-funded the work, said he hopes the UK will be known for its ability to balance coaches on buildings
Fortunately for residents in Bexhill (pictured) the bus will be held in place by eight tons of steel girders
The project is being backed, in part, by comedian Eddie Izzard, who said the year of the Olympics provided a 'perfect time to hang a large bus off the edge of a building in a seaside town.'
'By the end of 2012, I would hope the word goes out from our country that not only do we run excellent world events, but also we balance coaches on the edges of building like no one else ever could.'
The artwork opens to the public this weekend and forms part of the finale of the Cultural Olympiad, which is bringing together artists from across the world over a 12-week period.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment