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Statues

Charlie

Charlie

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Just come back from Birmingham, along Broad Street, and my Reactolite lenses went dark when I passed the Boulton, Murdoch, Watt statue!
What on earth were they thinking of...has Birmingham Council gone mad (answers please on a postcard). It looks as if someone's poured a bucketful of gold paint over them from a great height - and how did the Rocket Club get planning permission for those lovely :Aah: plastic palm trees?
Ye Gods!
 
Plus...has anyone heard anything about the statue that was on the steps near the Town Hall? Thomas Attwood I think, reading a book. One of (very few) lovely 'recent' statues. Now that the Town Hall is looking good and coming up to re-opening time, do we know if/when this statue will come out of the vaults?
Charlie
 
Hi Charlie, Firstly I felt the same as you when I saw The Boulton, Murdoch Watt statue. After speaking to Stephen Hartland from the Civic Society, he assured me the statue would have originally looked like this and will tone down in time. As for the Rocket Club who knows? I know the statue you are talking about that was on the steps of the library. I don't think it was Thomas Attwood he is in Sparkbrook. Perhaps someone will enlighten us?. I have been listening to the news about the statue of Joseph Sturge which has been repaired and is to be reinstated this Saturday in Edgebaston which is geat news.
 
AttwoodStatuei.jpg


It was indeed Thomas Atwood
 
Thanks for putting me right about Thomas Attwood Rod. Perhaps he was removed because there are two statues of him. Not that he doesn't deserve it.
 
Thanks for the photo Rod. Isn't this a great statue? Let's hope they replace it when all the Town Hall work has finished. If not, I shall lobby and pester!!!!
 
Charlie I have just sent Stephen Hartland an email about the Thomas Attwood statue and he said "he's back" perhaps not in the same place I will ask more. Oh I hope the weather warms up for Saturday!
 
Thanks Moma P - great news! Will have to have a look soon.
Forecast for Saturday looks OK at the moment (see private mail for more info on Satuday in Key Hill!)
 
Call Me Nuts

I hope they've put him back in the same place? I love the statue, I like too how they put those pages from the document he carried as though blown in the wind. Fantastic.... I know I will stir things up now too, but I love the Iron Man, and any street art really. It's good to be amongst things that people have created. I know it's not always appreciated or not to taste even but it's still important that it's there, because we all have different tastes.
 
Rod, Stephen works tirelessly for these things he is passionate about Birmingham's heratige. I got to know hom through Key Hill totally agree with you I love the "street art" I know its not everyone's cup of tea. I love "Spitfire Island" its a reminder! also the art on the A5 bypass at Tamworth for Staffordshire which encompases the canals the potteries and I think brickworks.
 
Last time I was in Brum a couple of years ago, I bought some flowers from the fellow with the stand near the "Floozie" fountain and then I went over and put this big bunch of flowers into the crook of Thomas Attwoods' arm. I had to arrange the bunch so that it would look correct before I took a photo. I was busily doing this when I realized I had attracted a small crowd of people. They were all offering advice and the picture was duly taken and turned out very well. I would like to see the statue back in the same place.
 
Could you post the photo Jennyanne I would love to see it. I am sure the statue is in the same place.
 
Iron Man

450px-Iron_Man_-_Anthony_Gormley_Statue_-_Victoria_Square_-_Birmingham_-_2005-10-14.jpg


Here you go MommaP thought you might appreciate this. I think it's brilliant but I know that a lot of people don't but thats ok, each to their own....... as we said it's just important that it's there!!

I too like the symbolic art on the A5 Exit, there is quite a bit dotted around the county. I think the Anchors tribute to Colin Grazier is also very good.
 
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Thanks Rod, yes I agree great its what it represents. Have you seen the miner at the top of Brownhills High Street brilliant. We have been to Gremany several times and there is a lot there but its more just art. One I liked was a child with an umberella which was a water feature, the water came up through the umberella and just dripped off the sides very clever.
 
Anthony Gormley, who sculptured The Iron Man, also did the figures on Crosby beach, Merseyside. Over a hundred, all looking out to the sea, they look absolutely amazing! Also one in the crypt at Winchester Cathedral, looking down at cupped hands. All the statues are modelled on himself. I still prefer the Thomas Attwood though.
 
Here's another couple that have disappeared...

The first; Forward was always controversial, you either loved it or loathed it. I loved it till some mindless yob burnt it down.

The second was another love of my life - the Mermaid at the Horsefair. She disappeared when the Chinese Lions arrived.
 
Ta

Ive not been to Brownhills..... One of the days I'll have a peep instead of just passing through.

Charlie I like all kinds of art, modern and more traditional things. But I think it's important even if you don't like it to support the fact that it's there, it brightens things up. It adds culture and more...........

Paul that mermaid is a cracking piece, I wouldn't mind that in my garden even, it really is nice. I hadn't even noticed it gone? thats the danger I reckon it's always too late when it's gone.

The fibreglass artwork that adorned the space opposite the register office....... Do any of you remember the debate we had on VB, I was so angry because so many people supported it's demise. At the time people were saying it was ok for it to be vandalised because it was not liked? What kind of attitude is that? But I won't take that conversation further, it's all been said before hasn't it?
 
Mermaid is still here and with us called Hebe near the Children's Hospital Bottom of Corporation St (talked about it on another post)
 
Brownhills Miner

Thanks for the information Cromwell she is lovely!

I also think he is great!
 
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Rod, I agree. I too love the fact that we now have so much art in the city. It provokes debate, brightens the place up and adds so much interest. After coming out of the Central Library I usually have to run the gauntlet of crowds taking photographs of the sculptures in Victoria Square. Takes ages to get through, trying not to spoil the shot. Which is excellent!!
I still love my Attwood one the very bestest though - he's my fave!!!
 
Charlie and Thomas

Here's Charlie having a chat with Thomas Attwood.

Tramp_round_Warstone_Lane_and_Key_Hill_019.jpg
 
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MomaP. I have found the picture with the flowers I put in the statue Thomas Attwood's arm. I will get it scanned and post it soon.
 
What a wonderful modern representation of what life was like (first picture by oisin) thank you all
 
Thanks for the photo of me with my beloved Thomas, Moma P. Shame about the angle though - it makes me look as though I have more than one chin, or maybe it was the cold, or maybe because I had my head tucked into my coat, or maybe.....oh 'eck, where's the nearest Weight Watchers class? *sigh*
 
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