The B of the Bang

mad4city

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 Sep 2005
Messages
4,803
Seeing as it's the silly season and all that...

A few weeks ago, there was a discussion on here about what should replace it. I had a cousin home from Manchester recently and he is heavily involved in the arty side of things in Manchester. He's even provided one major installation in Manchester city centre, himself. I hope you'll forgive me though because I won't identify him (or it) as it wouldn't be fair to do so without his consent.
Anyway, the gist of it is that he reckons that not very many people in the Manchester arts community will be sorry to see the thing go. The B of the Bang was designed by the stadium architect (he did name him but well, you know how it is when cousins are home in the pub in Ireland and... ergo, the memory goes). This architect had no hand, act or part in its installation or upkeep (which does explain bits of it dropping off, I suppose).
So, mindful of the recent thread on here, I asked what the city had planned to replace it.
"Unfortunately, nothing," he said.
"Well, the City fans would love something City (or at least, football) related," I said.
"Well, the council won't be paying for anything on that scale for the foreseeable future," he assured me.
Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that, unless the club sponsor something, we won't be seeing anything on that spot for a while.
Just thought I'd let y'all know.


PS: Does this actually qualify me as an ITK on something? Please say yes. I've always wanted to be an ITK...
 
Yes, you are an ITK. In fact, you are the world's most boring ITK. I hope this isn't a WUM cos that would be really sad. Congrats!
 
Kirkstall Blue said:
I'd say your ITK. Seeing as it's silly season.
I'm sure someone said their going to store the legs of the "B" and use them at a later date, can't imagine what they'll construct next.

A tepee?
 
No, I'm afraid it's not a wind up. The same fella who told me was quite disappointed that there'd be no replacing of it because he'd be one of the people "registering an interest" (that's "putting in a tender" in art speak, apparently). A proposed "facility" (that's "sculpture" to you and me) in Bolton has recently been shelved without so much as a word of regret/ official announcement from the council there, apparently.
The credit crunch, I suppose. It's hard at the best of times to defend public art, let alone when people are losing there jobs, right, left and centre.
 
mad4city said:
Seeing as it's the silly season and all that...
The B of the Bang was designed by the stadium architect (he did name him but well, you know how it is when cousins are home in the pub in Ireland and... ergo, the memory goes). This architect had no hand, act or part in its installation or upkeep (which does explain bits of it dropping off, I suppose).

"The design was selected by a panel consisting of both local residents and art experts via a competition in 2002, and was designed by Thomas Heatherwick."

"The sculpture was constructed in Sheffield by Thomas Heatherwick Studio, Packman Lucas, Flint and Neill and Westbury Structures."

See <a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_of_the_Bang" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_of_the_Bang</a>

Sorry you are now not an ITK.
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top