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Rooftop figures to give London nude horizons
By Mira Bar-Hillel and Louise Jury, Evening Standard 20.04.07
Arts body: how one of the figures, circled, would look on the National Gallery
Staying: Antony Gormley and one of his male figures on Crosby Beach
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More than 30 life-size sculptures of a naked male body are to be exhibited across the London skyscape.
Westminster council has followed Lambeth by giving planning consent to the work by Antony Gormley.
The installation, called Event Horizon, is one of the largest-ever urban public art commissions. It will be mounted next month to coincide with the first major London exhibition of Gormley's work, to be held at the Hayward Gallery from 17 May to 19 August.
The figures, based on the sculptor's own body, will be placed in various locations near Waterloo Bridge, including the London Television Centre, the National Theatre and the Shell Centre. All will face the Hayward Centre.
The final sculpture is planned for the United Grand Lodge of England and will be considered by Camden council next week. Letters supporting Gormley, designer of the Angel Of The North, were received from architect Richard Rogers, the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, V&A, Royal Academy and the Tate.
Gormley, who lives in the capital, said: "I think it's a tribute to everybody that I've been allowed to get away with it. I feel so grateful to all the people who said, 'Why not?' That attitude - 'Let's do it' - seems to be possible in Britain at the moment.
"If you're able to put a naked body on top of a building perhaps you can do other stuff that isn't necessary." Recently, Gormley's 100 cast-iron figures of naked men were allowed to remain on Crosby Beach, Merseyside.
His one regret is that the management of the Houses of Parliament refused to allow any works on the roof.
"After all of the blandishments this Government has given us about culture being at the core of its policy... I think this shows a certain lack of openness within Westminster in their attitude to contemporary culture," said Gormley.
Ralph Rugoff, the director of the Hayward, said it was a privilege to be working with the artist on the exhibition.
Where the sculptures will appear
Westminster
80 The Strand,
Arundel Great Court,
Brettenham House,
Bush House,
The Howard Hotel,
Thistle Hotel,
Waterloo Bridge (Westminster side)
Lambeth
Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward at the Southbank Centre,
Southbank Centre Square,
Union Jack Club,
White House Apartments at the Shell Centre,
Waterloo Bridge (Lambeth side),
The National Theatre,
King's College London - Franklin-Wilkins Building and the Waterloo Bridge Annexe,
The London Television Centre
Camden
United Grand Lodge of England
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Reader views (10)
It felt like somebody was looking at me this morning. Absolutely brilliant, you see more and more and I just had so much fun trying to spot the next one on my commute to work over the bridge this morning.
You see a lot of people looking up instead in wonderment... a bit of a change from the usual grim and stern look you get from people going to work in the morning. I really hope they will leave them there.
- Tiziana, London
I have commuted into London for 30 years and have never found any art work as interesting. I was curious when I saw a film crew recording the setting up of the figure on Waterloo Bridge, but didn't spot the rooftop characters until the next day. I love the way you gradually see more and more as you look further afield - it's made me see the London skyline afresh. I haven't spotted them all yet, but will have fun looking for the rest! Great work - challenging and enlivening. Well done Mr Gormley, Westminster, Lambeth and Camden!
- Colin, Hampshire
It's a truely powerful thing that lifts a Londoner out of the autopilot of the daily commute. Head down and stressing about work I must have hurried across Waterloo bridge for days before I finally discovered this work. When the scupture on Waterloo bridge arrived it caught my interest, but it was still a couple of days before I noticed a second and third figures on the roof of the Hayward. It then stopped me in my tracks as I looked round the London skyline spotting more and more figures, some just silhouettes in the distance. It really lifted my eyeline and made me appreciate buildings I'd never really looked at before. I was totally impressed - first at the sight, then with the scale of the project - well done to everyone that gave permission.
- Joe Brewer, London, UK
I have to say, I first spotted one figure on top of the Union Jack Club building. I really thought it was somebody about to jump, and it gave me quite a shock. Then this morning as I walked over Waterloo bridge as usual, I spotted many more. They are extremely interesting, and have a real impact - as a lot of very simple ideas often do. My only concern is that the ones on top of much taller buildings will frighten unsuspecting people below, who may think they are suicidal human beings, as I initially did. Are these figures a temporary measure? And for how long will they be graffitied across London's skyline?
- Belinda, London, Waterloo
Absolutely fabulous and well done to Westminster, Lambeth and Camden for supporting this. I have seen AG's figures at Crosby and they really are amazing. I agree with Paul that it is an emotional experience and one that, now they have a permanent home, I will definately return to. To have them here in the capital is great. I live in S E London we are lucky to have some of Antony's street furniture which is fun, functional but understated - its just there.
I think the more public art that we are exposed to the better as it is stimulates both our minds and as a talking point. Let's have more of it!
- Jenny, London
I usually cross Waterloo bridge by bus in the morning but have walked the last couple of days with the fine weather. I therefore spotted the one on the roof of Brettenham house (invisible from a bus due to its height) and like Sue's comment, thought it was a jumper! Spotted a further four on the North side yesterday morning and seven on the South side yesterday evening - really beautiful bronzes against a perfect blue sky. Initially thought I was seeing things but that suspicion now happily corrected. Well done Antony Gormley - boo to HP management - Portcullis House needs some lightening up!
- Paul Smith, UK
I was delighted to hear about the Gormley figures being erected in London on radio 4 this morning. Outdoor art is visible to all and so is shared by so many more. It is an inspiration.
Certainly everyone should visit the other 81 figures standing on that lonely beach at Crosby near Liverpool - that is a truly emotional experience - seeing so many solitary figures staring out to sea and being engulfed by the rapid tide that sweeps that coast. Go there!
- Sally, Sheffield
Interesting concept. One of my colleagues nearly died of heart failure this morning when she spotted it thinking someone was trying to commit suicide.
- Sue Clark, London, UK
I work in Shell and my office window looks on to the White House appartments. We have had the pleasure of being able to see some of these figures erected this morning - have spotted 6 so far. I think it's brilliant! What a great concept for an exhibition, and, as Antony Gormley says, how great that so many people have allowed this to happen.
- Kathrine Harvey, London, UK
I know that the people at the Whitehouse appartments (I have a friend who works there) were asked about these figures and they gave the go-ahead. They were very happy to become a part of it. Well done, Whitehouse!
- Carlyle Braden, Croydon, UK
