The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens

Jul 22nd, 2007 by webmaster | 131

We’d love to hear your views about the Big Art Project in St.Helens.

You can post your comment by using the form at the end of this section.

Filled under: Comments | You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

131 Comments on “The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens”

On August 2nd, 2007 at 3:02 am
Barry said:

I’d like an arty windmill onthe site, a pure symbol of old power vs the new.
On August 2nd, 2007 at 9:05 am
Tim Hyde said:

I did send you an e-mail using the address shown, but it got bounced back! I’m honoured to see you are using my WordPress theme.

Anyway, I think this project is a great idea. I like Barry’s suggestion of something along the lines of the power theme. Perhaps the windmill could even power something?
On August 2nd, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Paul Kelly said:

Good to see a debate has started on the site, and very interesting idea of the windmill. Renewable energy and all that. !!The chosen artist is looking at this site, so will make sure he looks at the comments page
On August 7th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
gwyn roberts said:

about time the north get put put on the map
On August 7th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
norma wilson said:

i think having a piece of artwork in st helens is fantasic, working with community groups to produce pieces of artwork will bring communities together, i think helena housing should have a permanent art officer to work in communities with tenants and residents.
On August 7th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Tanya Humphreys said:

Thank you for the comments made so far, i will be very interested to see how tenants and residents feel about public art, if you would like a piece of artwork in your area please contact me for a nomination form.
On August 8th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Cath Ford said:

I entirley agree with Norma Wilson comments i feel having a resident art officer in Helena Housing would be beneficial. I live on an Helena estate and would love to see more artworks on these estates.
On August 10th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Lynn Arnold (Westra) said:

I think this project will be great for St Helens,and well done Helena Housing for jumping on board.Our Tenant & Res Association have already received a nomination form,and I hope other TRA’s will follow suit.I think it’s a great idea to get communities involved.
On August 16th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Joanne McMahon said:

Its great to see art coming to St Helens in such a big way, giving residents a chance to be involved in something innovative, unique, new and exciting.

Fantastic to see the Big Art Officer, Tanya, doing a great job spearheading the project.

Good luck over the next few months and I look forward to seeing the art projects in situ.
On August 17th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Sean Durney said:

This is a fantastic project for St Helens, and the community programme is looks the business! Good luck to all involved.
On August 19th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Andy W said:

Great idea that will help in the regeneration of the area. I’d like to see something that reminds people of the past industry in the area and points the direction for the future. To keep the work low maintenance, I guess there will be no working parts, but something that symbolises the mining industry (pit head gear say) merged with something for the future - say the new forest being planted in the area would be impressive
On August 23rd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Sue Morris said:

Exciting stuff - Doreen Lorenzo and myself have already secured funding to deliver a community event linking in to the main Big Art Project. Our aim is to involve local children and families so that they have the experience of having their work valued alongside international artists.
On August 29th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
JEAN ROBINSON said:

SAVE EARLESTOWN TOWN HALL ST HELENS HAS TAKEN FAR TO MUCH OF OUR HERITAGE AWAY,SELL YOUR OWN TOWN HALL TO,YOU KNOW WHO,AND LET HIM BUILD FLATS THERE.SEE HOW ST HELENS RESIDENTS,WOULD REACT TO THAT.THE COLLEGE TOO,WILL WE HAVE ANY THING LEFT?KEEP THEM AS GENUINE WORKS OF ART,
On August 30th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Graham E said:

I think this project is a very good idea and will be very beneficial for St Helens I hope more projects like this will happen in the future in St Helens and keep communities involved and working together.
On September 16th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Wendy Collins said:

I think it’s great that St Helens has the chance to participate in this project ‘ ex terra lucem’ use of low energy led lighting, glass and iron combined in a representation of the old pit head would be fantastic. The children and staff of Robins Lane School would love to be involved in any community project. We already have a huge artwork on our school site which represents the heritage of St Helens.
On September 19th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Daniel said:

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
On September 21st, 2007 at 1:54 pm
StephenBall said:

St.helens needs to brings its arts community together, and after this project has finished, carry on working and promoting the talent of the artists who live and work in this town
On September 25th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Paul Kelly said:

Following on from Stephen’s comments, we have been quite astounded at the diverse range of artists, and the quality of their work, who are based in the St.Helens borough. We really hope this project links that talent we have here, with the powers that be in the st.helens business community, who could be inspired to employ these artists to make work within their organisation.
On September 26th, 2007 at 11:38 am
chris appleton said:

am i the only one who thinks this is like the EMPORERS NEW CLOTHES i live in sutton manor it has become a dirty run down area with most of the improvments being spent on detroying what green areas we have being buldozed to build factory units noone uses, why not use the pit as a sporting venue not just another eyesore that people pass as they spend thier money at the trafford centre i have yet to see were the infrastucture for the so called visitors is going to go and how much wasted money is being spent or am i missing the point will a windmill stuck on a slag heap next to a motorway turn st helens into a shangri la
On October 2nd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Tina C said:

Part of me has to (reluctantly) agree with Chris for me there has been for too much focus on business and not on community when it comes to green spaces. However, I do realise that one cannot survive without the other. I am hoping that the Big Art project is not just a one off event, but has substantial and sustainable projects alongside it, in order for this fantastic project to truly meet its remit.

It needs the ‘powers that be’ to work with local communities and local businesses to see how we can best benefit from this great opportunity, and to put money into it. Because if doesn’t happen, then it will be about wasting money on a an amazing piece of art that no-one will see or care about when the TV cameras are turned off.

Which is why I have been so pleased that the Little Arts Project has taken off…my nomination has been handed in!!!

But its going to take more that this…We all want it to work…so please make it work.
On October 2nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Tina C said:

P.S. Wendy Collins - Robins Lane School - the nomination I have sent in for the Little Arts Project is in Sutton Oak and we would love the local schools to get involved…should we get picked (or even if we don’t)…we will be approaching both Robins Lane and Sutton oak Primary
On October 3rd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Pauline said:

I find it rather sad that some St Helens residents are not in support of the Big Art Project. Do they not realise what an opportunity this is? Having worked on several art projects in Liverpool, I know this will definitely put St Helens on the map, attract international press and visitors to this fair town. Get behind this project, after all, what have you got to lose?
On October 5th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Ant H said:

I was at a consultation meeting recently for the above project, and I was shocked to see that the project will not have ‘mining’ as a main theme at all…infact it seems it has nothing to do with mining and is going to be a large face, facing out on to the motorway! I think it’s out of order and it should be looking down on forest road. I am all for art in st helens, but not for being mislead.
On October 23rd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Andy said:

I have to say how exciting I believe this project could be for St Helens, all one has to do is look at the impact major artistic ventures have had in other areas to see the positive effect it could have for this town (the men at crosby beach and the angel of the north are just 2 eg’s) and I am talking here solely from an economic perspective, with huge numbers of tourists coming to those areas to look at art it gives money and jobs to the local community. From an artistic perspective the greatest thing an iconic sculpture could give to an area is a sense of identity, and with identity comes a sense of pride. In response to Ant H this ‘identity’ problem appears to have been a major consideration for all the sites chosen in The Big Art, all are places that once had a strong tradition that has waned with the passing of industry. With this in mind, mining may be a theme, but it is only a starting point, the aim should be to look to the future, perhaps if the face is facing outwards towards the motorway, it will somehow embody this forward thinking philosophy.
On October 29th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Gill Worrall said:

A big Thank You to Tanya Humphreys (Big Art Officer) for organising the recent trip to Liverpool to see public art.

Myself (worker) and parents from Central Link Children’s Centre really enjoyed the day.

Comments received from parents…

“Both really enjoyed the day. Jessica enjoyed the statues on the beach. It had a lasting effect as later in the evening Jessica was telling her grandparents all about the Lamb banana! We both learned a lot.”

“On the day out in Liverpool both of my daughters really enjoyed looking at the different pieces of art. Kelsey took a particular liking to the super lamb banana we would defiantly take part in future outings.”

Thanks again and please keep us updated with all developments; we are all keen to stay involved with the project and look forward to seeing the end result.
On November 16th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Christine Courtliff said:

Hello Tanya,
Just downloaded form for my stepson who is good at doing short films using the basic equipment because we only have a digital camera, but what he produces is fantasic, He’s only 14yrs of age though. Is he to young?
I think the idea of art in the St.Helens area is great. The residental area’s look so glum. No flowers no greenery nothing. I have been involved with Helena housing and The local residents and tenants of Haydock to improve Wycliffe Road where I live. This so far has been great thanks to Kurrita White, who has been fantastic. We have had accustic fencing. also lanscaping of trees from the government funding that I got through Living Spaces. The fence was supplied through St. Helens Council. We still need flowers and few more additions but we hope to get there.
On November 28th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Andrew Cave said:

Fantastic, really enjoyed the workshop and can’t wait to see the billboards up next spring.
On December 15th, 2007 at 12:22 am
jason smith said:

i think a high flying statuesque saint with inviting arms urging people into the northwest would be quite fitting,it should attract people not only into st helens but invitingly caress them further down the m62 corridor,suggesting that once they pass this saint,the rest of there journey will be safe as the saint will watch over them and guide them safely to the there destination,thats what you call a landmark. my motto would be “united strength is stronger”.
On January 21st, 2008 at 12:44 am
chris appleton said:

when is the local press going to print on the front page the scheme that has been chosen for us by channel 4,this is of a 20mt high white concrete head that has a light to shine out of it for special occasions.
this scheme has been thrust on us and in conversations with as far as i know unelected commitee its got nothing to do with me its a done deal.i live in sutton manor and i think its a lot to do with me ,when all the arty lovies and residents of other parts of st helenshave gone we will have to look at it every day,does the council have double standards towards planning applications no low cost housing in RAINFORD because it will not be in keeping but its only sutton manor any airbrained scheme or factory white elephant is ok so long as we dont live near it.so please before you look down your noses at us plebs stop to think we live here 365 days a year
On February 20th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Nuria said:

Hi. I am from Barcelona and I am really happy Jaume Plensa is going to do the project for St. Helens. I wish we could see the Channel 4 programms here; if you have any influence whatsoever tell responsables in Channel 4 to reach a deal with the Spanish or Catalan TV so we can see the result of the community and the artist cooperation. I work for a catalan museum and will make sure to post the news about your project in our web.
Any idea when will the project will be finished? Or when can St Helens and Plensa work be seen on Channel 4? Hope to visit you soon.
Great iniciative, hope we have some of the sort down in Barcelona!
On March 14th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Arthur Adamson said:

I love to be entertained and I always clap enthusiastically when the entertainment is over. However, after only short period of time after the show, Ive usually forgotten most of what I saw. Quick entertainment means short memories.
Art from the heart is a good place to start. Truth and sincerity lasts but thrills will always be fleeting. Good luck to all the entertainers. I am sure all are sincere in there race for attention. Art is not about getting your work and face seen. It’s about seeing if you can face yourself after you have created your work. Eventually, in the end, most artists realise that the art race is only with themselves. I am sure the public with entertained. But I wonder how long it will be before they ask: Im bored now, entertain me again?
On March 28th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Lee said:

Thanks to all the ‘big art gang’ in St.Helens for making the ‘motto project’ almost come to fruition & sucess for all involved. Its great to mix with such happy & Enthusiastic people ……… Lee

Today’s Gamble Exhibition was Great …… long may they continue ……. ‘Get Smart’ will keep focused & energised because of it.
On April 7th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Tim Hyde said:

I think the Heaven tour is brilliant. I’d loved to know more about the motivation behind the idea for the heaven sign. Any events planned for artist to talk about the idea?

I’m a minister at St Helens Baptist Church and try to teach people every week that this is precisely what Jesus’ whole point was.

Great work.
On May 8th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Gerard Gilligan said:

I think the art is a bad idea due to the fact that it will use lighting that will cause Light Pollution, and badly affecting the Liverpool Astronomical Society Leighton Observatory, at Pex Hill which is close by. I intend to object to the project as a bad waste of money, that will cost the night-time environment dear in the long run, and be a source of crime. The local tax payers will pick-up the long term cost of the project.
On May 9th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
paul kelly said:

I think it is important to note that the lighting will both measured and subtle and will not contribute to light pollution in any way.
On May 9th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Purps said:

I dont get it. Would of been much more fitting if it was a giant split (chips n peas for those that dont know ;-).
On May 9th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
David Forshaw said:

Sounds interesting (the Sutton Manor project). However, as President of the Liverpool Astronomical Association, I am a little concerned that if the object is to be illuminated at night, once again a project is proposed which is going to add still more to the already overwhelming light pollution in the Liverpool area making it even more difficult to study the night sky, which in dark sky areas (of which there are fewer and fewer in this country) is mind-bogglingly beautiful. Hopefully my fears will be unfounded.
On May 10th, 2008 at 12:04 am
geof said:

Im with Purps, a giant split would have been far more in keeping with the towns tradition. I bet Jaume Plensa has never even had a split. Pah. Is it too late to change this? Im sure Linpac would come on board to supply a giant fork and tray. Lets make this happen people.
On May 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
homer said:

its gona look like a giant boiled egg form the back plus im gona have to look at this monument 365 days a year out of my window what a shame hrte money has gone to waiste it
should of gone to building a few buisnesses and creating jobs
On May 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
homer said:

yobs with drills will have a new hobby
On May 16th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
George said:

Like most pieces of public art these days, this is simply ludicrous. I wish artists would sod off and put art in art galleries, not somewhere where we all have to suffer their ridiculous creations ruining the countryside and skylines.

This Dream is a nightmare.
On May 18th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
local resident said:

The local papers mention that local residents and ex miners have been asked already about this project. I don’t recall anyone coming knocking at our house asking us. We will see this giant head from our house every single day. It would have been more appropriate to have something which relates to the site being a former colliery, even a giant miners lamp would have been better than a giant head. I wonder how long it will be before someone comes along to draw something on it.
On May 27th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Kirk said:

A Sexual Object?
I am a normal, regular person, and I am from Canada, and my UK friend showed me the photo of Dream.
I advise the Big Art Project committee to check the following to make sure the sculpture choice “Dream” is not a big mistake.
Because:
The overall shape of the monument can easily look like a male sex organ. (sorry to say that). No one really knows how at a distance or various angles, the shape, shadows, and contrast will render when it is a reality.
Can anybody else see that?

I have heard of other community installed objects having this same problem.

Maybe I need to see a side view of Dream.
On May 28th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
johhnyd said:

I am amazed at the last couple of comments. Especially the one from the local resident. There has been a great community programme running for well over a year which has explained everything to the community about the programme its background the artist and the sculpture.
The story about the site and the artwork are wonderful and I cant wait to see it.
On June 3rd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
local resident said:

I am amazed by some of the comments posted on this site and made on the St Helens Star newspaper site and in various local newspapers. The ‘Dream’ sculpture is not only an inspiration but will be a valued asset in St Helens. I for one live extremely close to where the sculpture will be and at every stage have been notified of what is happing and what will happen next. People who have negative comments to make maybe should look further as to what this scuplture could mean for the future of St Helens. The sculptures on Crosby beach have indeed not only added to the area’s economy, but have also increased visitor numbers and as a direct result there is now a viewing tower and hotel being built there.

I feel the sculpture on Sutton Manor could indeed do just that, it may not be a litteral sculpture ie: a miners lamp but it does have a very fitting link to the site and to the future of St Helens. i for one can not wait to see it, and to prove the negative people of St Helens wrong.

It is indeed a Dream that St Helens has the honour of receiving such an amazing piece of work.
On June 11th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Joanne McMahon said:

The unveiling of the sculpture was an amazing moment and I was totally bowled over by the concept. I think this is an amazing piece.

I would commend the hard work put in so far by the project team, and I for one have seen the innovative community programme in action. Great work Tanya.

I look forward to seeing and taking part in future events before the final unveiling of the sculpture.
On June 11th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Andy Houghton said:

I think its a brilliant idea and will be a marvelous focal point for the area. I used to live in Clock Face so I remember the Colliery when it was still working so it will be good to see the land put to good use. The monument will provide a focus, not just for the area but St Helens as a whole.

Well done to Tanya for all her hard work! St Helens needs more of this!
On June 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Andy C said:

have seen some of the last comments and agree a giant split would be funny and a giant sex object would certainly be interesting- but thats as far as it goes. As for the other negative comments I can’t believe that people would be so narrow minded as to not want to put St.Helens on the map in the same way the Angel of the North has done. Well done to all those invovled and can’t wait to see it unveiled.
On June 16th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Gerry said:

I bet you will floodlight it and that will be the another nail in the coffin of the Leighton Observatory. On the other hand give the Liverpool AS the money to do educational projects that are currently impossible in light pollution. Educated children are a much better way to ensure economic regeneration.
On June 19th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
B Gilmore ( Sutton Manor Heritage Group) said:

My understanding of the relevance of ‘Dream’ statue is as follows. It is a representation of a childs head, the child being the future of St Helens, the head being the place where memories are stored and the future dreamt of. The connection to mining is in the form of a miners tally which forms the plinth and there will also be other art relating to the area. Jaume Plensa the artist hopes to portray the memories stored in the heads of all the people who worked and maybe died in the mine, and then friends and families in this community to whom the mine for years past was the focus of Sutton Manor. This community has a wealth of history which would like to be seen preserved in a place where the focus remembers the past but looks to the future. It is hoped that the area will be a lovely place to ‘Sit, stand, run, remain and reflect’.
On June 24th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Polly of Liverpool said:

As a Liverpool resident working in St Helens I am infuriated at the negative comments to the Big Art sculpture. Get into the 21st century you woolly backs!!! Liverpool residents had the same attitude to the Superlambanana 10 years ago, this sculpture is now loved by all and is a great symbol for the City. Any number of towns/cities could have been chosen for this project but St Helens was, make the most of it and get St Helens on the map!!!!
On June 24th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Brenda Downs said:

Well said Polly. Thank you to those wonderful Ex Miners who had the vision and the courage of helping create a landmark on the same lines of the Angel of the north. I’ve just moved back to St Helens and I am really excited at the prospect of this magnificent sculpture and what it can do for the town. Again I salute the ex miners for a brilliant job well done.
On June 30th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
john o said:

as a local i think the dream should remain “a dream”.we should have had a choice of designs.i would have liked a representation of colliery winding gear-something that was relavent to our heratage in the northwest.
On July 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am
Johnny said:

That’s right…. lets have a colliery winding gear or a mining lamp that no one would look twice at ! Well done to the former miners who realised that and chose something that ALL generations could enjoy and own, rather than something obvious that kept St Helens firmly rooted in the past. Go to the B and Q road island or the YMCA road island if you want to have a look at something representing our mining heritage. The ‘Dream’ is wonderful and represents our future.
On July 1st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
local resident said:

I agree with John O and we should have had a choice of designs and the winding gear or miners lamp would have been better than the ‘Dream’. I know it has a miners tally at the base of it but no one will see that until they go close up to it. My dad worked at the colliery at one point and I dont think he would have appreciated a giant head (the ‘Dream’). I used to look forward to seeing the winding gear when coming home from holidays as it meant I truly was home, I dont think it’ll feel much like that anymore.
On July 2nd, 2008 at 10:43 am
Brenda Downs said:

What on earth would we want winding gear or a miners lamp there, to please just the people living around Sutton Manor ? or the people who worked there? Does no one read up about this project and its aims? Its for the FUTURE and the regeneration of the TOWN. not to keep us deep rooted in the past. Coal has gone and will never return. Glass has nearly gone. We still have a world class rugby team. The ‘Dream’ will give us another identity just like the angel of the north. Again I cannot praise the former miners enough for reconising this. Future generations will recognise the sculpture and be proud of it.
On July 6th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
local resident said:

The people who live around sutton manor do matter along with the people who worked there, its us who have to live with the giant head overlooking our houses. Yes the rugby team is world class so why not have a statue about rugby or something to do with the town itself.
On July 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
David P said:

Yes, lets have something totally original like a 20 Metre giant rugby ball on the site with ’saints fot cup’ written on the side, I’m sure that would make a great visitor attraction, destroy our cloth cap wollyback image and have people flocking in from all over the country in their thousands to see….
On July 7th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Andy F said:

I’m depressed. I honestly cannot understand peoples negative attitude to this project, it is the desperate clutching onto any past remnant of success which has allowed this town to slowly and pathetically disintegrate into a state of social and economic disrepair. I read comments from residents complaining that they are going to have to look at this eyesore for 365 days a year. Excuse me!! If you want to move house then feel free, you’ll be sure to make a tidy profit because I guarantee that the property prices in direct view of ‘Dream’ will rise, due solely to the newly acquired view. Before complaining about having to look at a stunning, awe-inspiring thing of beauty, placed there in order to make us contemplate and engage with our surroundings, our history and our future, why not cast your gaze to the thousands of telegraph poles that scar our landscape, or to the frankly lazy architects and building companies that seem intent on filling every spare piece of land with houses that appear to be exactly the same as every other house that has been built here for the past 40years. Is Dream honestly worse than these?

As for the complaints that the sculpture has nothing to do with mining or St Helens as a whole…. I’d like to offer my most heartfelt congratulations to the miners and steering group who decided not to pursue this path, it was incredibly brave decision by them bourne from their own education and increased knowledge into what art is and what it can do. This is precisely why a vote could not have been opened out to the wider public, if it was, then the safest and most mundane option would be elected and this would not do justice to the memories of the men who worked down the mine. The easiest path is very rarely the right path, surely those guys knew this better than most. If the group had chosen a huge mining lamp, what would this have meant? A mine used to exist here. Thats it, it requires no more engagement, I don’t even need to see the lamp to know this. But with the elongated head of a child, much more complex, further reaching and profound issues are raised. Much of this wider meaning has been stated previously so I won’t reiterate, but from a personal point of view one of the many things it makes me think of is the Easter Island statues, something primitive, timeless, graceful and melancholic, but in the movement from black granite into pristine white I heed a warning and a message of hope; those societies who fight amongst themselves, looking only to the past, will surely die out, but those who seek the future and rebirth will flourish.

Sorry for the length of this rant I’ll stop now.
On July 8th, 2008 at 11:10 am
David P said:

Well said Andy F, Someone who has grapsed the whole concept of this project. As a former miner myself ( Bold ) I applaud as you say the courage of the former miners of this group to choose something of such beauty and thought provoking qualities that thousands of people per day will see and admire.
On July 27th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
JFDudley said:

Lets us now stop the points scoring and all get behind this project.
On July 27th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
name said:

best of the best it is,
On July 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
chunk said:

Just like say well done to all the film makers,

pitty the end result was left with some shandy drinkers from the south who know little or nothing about the town or its people ,there was far better films to represent the town and its people than what they picked.

But eh what do i know………..

Well done to everyone who put the time and effort in to the films ,

congratulations to the winners…..
On July 30th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Paul said:

Agree with chunk… the films were great, and shows what talent is out there…. we may not agree with the winners but talent shines through!
On December 6th, 2008 at 1:40 am
bertywoo said:

When I first saw this I laughed out loud, as did everyone who gathered round my monitor. And not in a good way.

Flashy, sentimental, unsubtle nonsense as a piece of art. A waste of public money on an unproven, flavour of (last) month, PR stunt as a piece of regeneration. Iconic art and architecture worked for Bilbao, and may have worked for Manchester but St Helens is not Manchester. You can’t take one (minor) element of their regeneration and transplant it in St Helens and expect it to have the same effect. Well you can if you leave your brain at the door… As someone said above, Emperor’s New Clothes.

A lot of the comments above read like extracts from council press releases by the way, or seem to be from the people involved. Self-justification?
On December 9th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Brenda Downs said:

What a load of gobbledygook. Loads of criticism with no substance nor answers…. Flashy ? Sentimental? PR stunt?.. Bilbao and Manchester? I suggest you and your laughing monitor group do some research into public art.

I take comfort in the thought that they said EXACTLY the same thing about the Angel Of The North….. and that’s been a massive flop for that particular area hasn’t it?

The Dream will happen and will be a massive success. Come back in 5 years and give your (educated) opinions then.
On December 15th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
bertywoo said:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1084925_wigans_angel_of_the_north

Wigan’s answer to the Angel of the North. Why do Wigan and St Helens need an answer to the Angel of the North?

Wigan’s answer to the angel of the north doesn’t seem to have won many headlines. But don’t worry, ours will cos it is BIGGER? If this PR Stunt doesn’t get sufficient headlines (and that is how success seems to be judged here) I vote we pay our council to go to Baghdad and ask if we can have that Saddam bloke’s big swords..
On December 19th, 2008 at 12:08 am
David P said:

This sculpture (The Dream) by a world renound artist is to be featured in a 6 week series on mainstream TV and will bring nothing but positive publicity for this area. All the funding has been raised externally and the ex-miners ( one whom I know well ) have worked tirelessly by giving up their own time, without pay, to help create a unique, stunning work of art for the betterment of St Helens.
Bigger isnt always better. But art is subjective.
On January 9th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Luke Meyers said:

hi
9bsbxp7m3h863m23
good luck
On January 10th, 2009 at 8:59 am
chx bell said:

its time you got up to scotland and look at the natural art (ie glen coe hills& lochs) Island sky, etc etc real beauty (east nuke fife)
On January 10th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Shanna Luna said:

hi
9bsbxp7m3h863m23
good luck
On January 28th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Carol anne eaves said:

i loved your big art project good luck!!!!!
On March 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Mhaille said:

I think a more lasting monument may have been to build something that would be of benefit to the former mining community in and around Sutton Manor and St Helens. We already have two mining “monuments” in the town, this money could have gone on something that would actually improve people’s lives instead of what appears to be an expensive PR stunt.
On March 10th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
David P said:

How many times do i have to keep defending this project and how many times do people need to read up about it and gain the correct information about it. The money raised has been from all external funders such as the arts council, the forestry commision, coalfields regeneration scheme etc and if it wasnt allocated to St Helens for public art it would have gone somewhere else in the country to another town or city to fund their public art. We should applaud the St Helens team for accuiring over 1.5 million pounds for this project which has cost the tax payers of this town indirectly nothing. As for benefiting the former mining community the Dream will bring in much needed toursism and revenue to not only St Helens but Sutton Manor as well and if I owned the Smithy Manor pub I would be clapping my hands with delight. Watch the tv series this year and then tell me if you still think its a pr stunt. You will be suprised.
On March 15th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
bertywoo said:

Please drop the misunderstood prophet tone (”How many times do I have to keep defending this project..?”) Maybe when you come up with stronger points you will be able to put down that terrible burden.

So the money does not come from Council Tax revenues? So what, it is still public money and could either have been better used or left in our pockets. A very large share of that money comes from a pot of money called the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative which the council got from central government to encourage and support enterprises and entrpreneurship in St Helens. That money could therefore have been spent on plenty of other things, especially in a recession. The council must think that this sculpture will achieve that in some way. Perhaps by magic? Perhaps, being generous to them, by getting lots of attention for St helens so that investors will think “I know, I’ll invest there” i.e. it will work as a PR stunt, something that is meant to work by winning headlines.

As far as I know, the evidence of this kind of thing working in that way is sketchy (and based on a few early and unproven examples) and I would guess the more people to do it the less effective it will be. Just because something as mercurial as public art may have worked in one location there is nothing to say it will work here. Copycat ideas are not likely to have as much impact as original ones (as the Angel of the North was) - now there are people claiming they will build angels of all four points of the compass (and points in between).

Please don’t make out like people who think this is a silly idea are disrespecting the miners and the work they put in. And if it turns out to be a great piece of art that people love, then well done to all concerned. Good art has its own value, but I don’t like the way it is being dressed up as something which will transform St Helens.
On March 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
David P said:

From a misunderstood prophet.

Write what you want.
Armchair criticise all you want.
Run the project down all you want
Get your facts wrong all you want.

I prophesise this…..The ‘Dream’ will happen…..Simple.
On April 11th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Photonutter said:

The exhibit is coming along well, here’s a couple of photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photonutter/3421546243/in/set-72157616378351749/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photonutter/3420821827/in/set-72157616378351749/
On April 14th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Jeffo said:

David P - you are right it is happening and it looks fabulous
On April 14th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
david p said:

Thanks Jeffo. Its wonderful isnt it? Bet all the ’scoffers’ are eating humble pie as we speak.!
On April 26th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Fiona said:

I’ve been to see ‘the dream’ today as I was really curious to see what all the fuss was about. I was really impressed with how the area has been developed as part of the Mersey Forest after a long time of lying to rot following the closure of the colliery. I enjoyed a Sunday walk around here and it was nice to see families walking about, people out walking dogs and lots of other people going to visit the artwork.

I thought the dream was fab, really interesting and dramatic with the blue sky and clouds as a background. It was quite surreal and almost like looking at a massive 3D image and quite calming to look at.

It’s nice to see something a bit more innovative and unpredictable and my thoughts are that it is a big plus for the area. Visitors will be able to understand a bit more about the area, mining heritage and think of the miners past and present.
On April 27th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Deborah Johnson said:

Please could you tell me if this is St Helens Dream why oh why is it facing Widnes ? My Dad was a miner at Sutton Manor and i dont understand why so much money was spent on something that doesn’t benefit the St Helens community or has anything to do with Miners in general.
On April 28th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Jenny said:

All very well, looks striking in the photos, but all we could see from the M62 in passing above the trees is what looks like the top of the male appendage.
On April 29th, 2009 at 3:05 am
SydneyOz said:

Hey. Great to see St Helens making international news!! Catching the train in central Sydney last week I was handed a free copy of the daily Mx newspaper, given to all commuters in Sydney in addition to Melbourne and Brisbane. Low and behold, on page 9 was a huge picture of the Dream sculpture and short paragraph with information about the history of the St Helens site and the Spanish artist. If nothing else, it has increased the profile of the town, with thousands upon thousands of Sydneysiders and tourists walking around Sydney clutching a copy of the newspaper. Personally, I like the sculpture as do the few people I got opinion from here in Australia!!!
On May 1st, 2009 at 6:19 pm
C A D said:

I drive up to Liverpool from Warrington every day and I’d like to second what Jenny said: from the road approaching and passing, it looks like a rather large phallic appendage. Sorry.
On May 1st, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Maud said:

I am afraid to say that I was unaware of this project that was happening as I am not from St Helens, however I got a glimpse of it tonight whilst driving along the M62 and the way it is lit up it does very much resemble a part pf the male anatomy!!!

Sorry!!!!! Great idea behind the sculpture though
On May 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm
johnnyd said:

How sad and small minded are some people in st helens …. all we can be bothered about is that .. ‘ it looks like a male member’ … ‘it cost too much money’.. ‘its nothing to do with mining’… ’some thick head will spray it with graffiti’ ….. wake up will you !!!! … tell me when was the last time this town got so much positive WORLD WIDE publicity…? never.
On May 6th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Karen said:

Drove past “Dream” at the weekend. Love it.
On May 6th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Dave Tucker said:

A nice youth club would of been nice for the local (unsocial youth “board”) ….. 2 mill could of went far.

I do love Dream though and hope it does us all good as a community
On May 10th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
kevin dooley said:

YOU CAN’T SEE IT FROM THE M62!!!!!!

THERE ARE IS A CREST OF HUNDREDS OF TREES IN THE THE WAY!!!

YOU GET A BRIEF GLIMPSE AT A COUPLE OF POINTS OF AN EXHIBIT A MILE AWAY!!!!!

FANTASTIC PLANNING!!!!

WELL DONE - WELL WORTH £2 MILLION QUID!!!!!
On May 10th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
johhnyd said:

the trees will be cut down once the nesting season has finished.

The TV show tonight was fantastic . Well done to all those involved. Out of all the major towns and cities in this country st helens came out the best. what an outstanding achievement.
On May 11th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Suzy Ashall said:

Hi,
I watch the TV show last night. Im from St helens but at the moment teaching art in Buckinghamshire so i didnt know anything about it. So i was surprised to see st helens being put on the map with some big art. I just wanted to say congratulations to everyone involved and i cant wait to drive back up north and see the art work. Good luck
On May 11th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Moz said:

Went to Liverpool along the M62 this morning, what the hell is that?

Brilliant piece of art, shinning in the sunshine. Congratulations to all.
On May 12th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Greenstreeter said:

Sutton Manor is managed by The Forestry Commission and is a community woodland as well as a site where you can dedicate a tree to a friend or loved one http://www.dedicateatree.org/acatalog/Sutton_Manor.html.Sutton Manor is part of a network of greenspace and woodlands for all to enjoy.

As such the trees form a valuable part of of the site not only to reclaim a ‘brownfield site’ but to bring new life and biodiversity to the area from the time of it’s closure as a colliery.In the same way the Dream sculpture represents new hope for the future.
All great sculpture and landscape features should offer glimpses from near or afar to tempt the viewer into coming closer. Greater use of the site will reduce the unwanted behaviour of a few for the benefit of all,bring much wanted inward investment to the area and help in the regeneratrion of south St Helens.To see how far away the sculpture can be seen go to www.dreamsculpture.blogspot.com/
On May 17th, 2009 at 11:19 am
davidp said:

Glad to know that you will be using a choir who will be totally behind ‘Dream’ and the event on the 31st May :

Article from Sarah St helens Now Forum.

From Sarah (ST Helens Now Forum )

Couple more dates (willowbrook fancy dress & Dream Unveiled)

There is a fancy dress night on the 24th of May in aid of the Willowbrook Hospice it starts at 8pm at the Sefton, a few of us are going.

And, i’m only doing this one to wind my daughter up! we are members of a local choir (yes really!) and we will be singing a song called ‘Dream’ at the unveiling of the
monstrosity monument on the 31st May..
On May 17th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
ian said:

a stunning and forward thinking piece of work which will be admired for a long time well done all involved
On May 18th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Jennie said:

I live nearby but knew nothing of the project until I drove past last week. It’s beautiful. Thank you.
On May 18th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Phil Pinder said:

As a parr born lad (sussex grove) living in Newton le Willows for the past 26 years, I have seen that St Helens will only do the absolute MINIMUM to this area.
The lovely old high street (here since the romans and nothing like it in St H) could be so much more; but then again, its not in St Helens is it.
The eyesores that they are allowing to be built here, the lovely old works of art they are pulling down, leaving to rot or selling off (along with the greenbelt) are worthy, not a concrete lump that should only be built once the ENTIRE town is sorted.
What a difference the millions spent on that would make here.
I am not against progress, art, or a NIMBY, but If you want to claim Newton as part of St Helens (ie Haydock Park plus all the history thats here and advertised on your “Heart of the Northwest” signs) THEN MAKE IT RIGHT! that’s my “DREAM” (by the way, there was a pit here as well in case you had forgotten)
“Newton in the Willows” is mentioned in the Doomsday book and as I recall, we certainly didn’t ask to be part of St Helens.
On May 18th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
johnnyd said:

What the hell has that political rant got to do with a world class piece of art and this website. Do some research man.
On May 18th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
JM said:

I love DREAM and I too would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved in it for their bravery and time spent in a genuine effort to do something for the town they love.

I drive along the M62 each day and love to look at Dream as I pass. I have taken my two small boys to see it close up and they love playing and sitting on the steps. I love the idea behind it and the things it was hoped it would represent. Our children will look for it on the way home from journeys and know they are nearly home, my little ones already think about abstact ideas just from me telling them what the ideals of Dream are and they look for it all the time we are in the car.

I just want to say thank you, I feel proud to come from St Helens Dream has somehow enhanced that. I also love local history and the strong links to the past we have in this town, but, it needs to be remembered, that St Helens was once at the centre of a new and exciting time in history, the Industrial Revolution, the canal was one of the first in the country, the rail links, the proximity to Liverpool were all capitalised on by our ancestors in this town. Imagine what St Helens would have been if they had not been forward thinking people. A lot of lip service has been paid to history and mining in the entries above, if you truly want to pay tribute to the past people of St Helens then be forward thinking and open minded as they were and enjoy the sculpture for all it stands for and for its own sake.
On May 24th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Alison Winter said:

My husband and I took our little girl to see it today and we were all mesmerised! Its really wonderful! We parked up opposite the colliery gates and walked along the path to it. We were not alone, there were loads of people either walking to it or back from it enjoying the lovely sunshine.

Some people were sat down having a well earned cold drink after the long walk, people were also stopping for ice creams at the shop nearby. I thought it was a great atmosphere, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves, discussing the piece.

I don’t know whether it would be feasible, but that whole area could be turned into a real beauty spot. As I witnessed today, people would definitely flock to it! Thank you to all involved. You should be very proud!!
On May 31st, 2009 at 8:10 pm
margaret mccutcheon said:

I’ve just seen the dream being completd on tv and have come straight to the website to find out more about the work..how fabul;ous and beautiful and inspiring…I’ll drive sometime from scotland to see it
On May 31st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Tania Devereux said:

I’ve just watched the official ‘opening’ of the Dream - amazing, absolutely breathtaking and what a wonderful concept, not just for St Helens. Am planning a trip to see it asap.
On May 31st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Jan said:

really beautiful.
On June 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Jackie said:

I (and many others) really enjoy taking pictures of the dream and the launch was fantastic, but dissapointly there seems so far to have been very little coverage of the launch save for a brief clip on BBC NW new on Sunday and a little at the end of the Big Art programme on Sunday 31st. When I google for recent news I only find short articles in the St Helens Star and the Liverpool Echo. Will there be any further publicity?
On June 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 pm
grant hudson said:

not seen it yet but think it will be impressive,gonna deffo make a trip,if it wasnt in st.helens dont think i would visit,hope you have better luck than manchester has had,the sculpture the b of the bang is to be torn down good luck
On June 5th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Jeff said:

We have been and seen this a few times with the kids over the last couple of weeks, but I can help noticing how phallic this statue is… how long before St.Helens is going to be know as the D**k heads of the North…
On June 5th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
davidp said:

How narrow minded and what a crass comment. Look at some of the stunning pictures of the ‘Dream’ that have already been taken. They are absolutely wonderful and resemble nothing like a male body part. Instead of feeling proud as punch at this achievement, some sad sad people try to bring it down by negative, petty, sexist comments as above. The opening community event was fantastic and brought people and families together in a way not seen for years in this town, embracing a community spirit. The channel 4 series ‘Big Art’ saw St Helens produce the best piece of artwork in the whole COUNTRY and the ex-miners were a credit to this town and came across warm, funny, passionate and highly articulate. The ‘Dream’ has already been nominated for a top arts award and the light display has yet to come. Wake up and realise what this town has achieved, which has cost the taxpayers of St Helens nothing.
On June 6th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
dave marsden said:

well all i can say is if it makes me want to leave the motorway and walk up to it, it’s good enough public art for me!! It is surreal, well done st helens!!
On June 7th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Graham Harrison said:

As someone who was born and bred in St. Helens but who has lived in Gloucestershire for the last 30 years I was very interested to see the Big Art programme and the major role that the Sutton Manor sculpture played in the project. I was also very proud of the ex-miners who had the vision to produce the brief for the sculpture and also the guts to turn down the first design- a too literal giant miner’s safety lamp. What a pity the authorities couldn’t have had the same vision and creativity as the miners when they rejected the light in the top of the sculpture which would have really made it special. I’m looking forward to seeing this when I’m next in St. Helens. Well done to everyone involved.
On June 14th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Rachel said:

I’ve been to see The Dream twice now (only once since completion) and I think it is so beautiful and exciting. I love the way figure changes with the sky and matches the mood of the surroundings.
Each time I wandered up I’ve been amazed at how many people where there.. people are driving up from the M62 just to take a closer look!
It’s definitely put St Helens and the area on the map and I love the fact that the locals (the ones I’ve spoken to..) are so excited and proud to have it there.
I hope it continues to draw so much attention and keeps people visiting the area for years to come.
On June 21st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Sharon M said:

I thought the dream was a bad idea when I first heard of it and a waste of money but now I have totally changed my mind. I think its beautiful and is great for St Helens. It certainly makes you think and look to the future. My daughter who is only 2 is obsessed with it, watches it over and over on the telly and loves to go to it. She is always looking out for it as we drive around St Helens and tells people about it.
On June 23rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
evoice said:

A Wonderful addition to the landscape, I visited June 09 and took this picture:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/23742283

enjoy

regards, evoice
On June 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Jim smith said:

I am an exminer from sutton manor and i think Dream is a masterpiece of art which St helens will benefit from in many ways its not before time that we looked to the future and stop thinking about the past

CONGRATULATIONS and thanks to all involved
On June 27th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Jaybird said:

Drove past it today on the way to Warrington and couldn’t figure out what it was. It looked like a deflated hot-air balloon and glistened in the sunlight. I asked my 70-year old dad who was in the car and he was a bit vague, so I looked it up on Google whe I got home as I was so intrigued. If all it does is get people like me (I come from Leeds) to satisfy their curiosity, then it will have succeeded in putting Sutton on the map.

Incidentally, I was driving past Clock Face at the time and was equally fascinated about the name so couldn’t resist searching for both. Well done to all concerned in making Dream come true!
On July 5th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
UK Expat said:

When I was a kid we lived in Sutton Manor. I moved to the States twenty years ago, just before the mine closed. I hadn’t seen the forest, nor heard about the Dream.

We’re visiting friends in the area over the weekend. My husband, an American, pointed it out when we driving and wanted to see it. We thought it spectacular. My toddler enjoyed the green space. My husband eyed the forest for mountain bike routes. Knowing the history, remembering the place, I thought the Dream a beautiful tribute. It also made me look at the landscape, the countryside around with new eyes. I hadn’t realized how pretty the area’s countryside.

I’ll be back, looking forward to seeing the forest getting fuller and enjoying the inspiration. I’ll continue to tell my american friends that a trip to the UK MUST include visiting the North of England, but now I’ll include The Dream on the list of places to see. Hopefully, local pubs and corner shops will benefit from the increased tourism. As a former school teacher I imagine that it is a wonderful resource.
On July 6th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Robert Dixon said:

The channel four documentary on the vairous Big Art projects was mostly irritating for its choice of Artists, and implicit support for the whole mythology and enterprise of organised Art. It lacked the perspective which says that ‘art’ is no more and no less than visual image or ornament, so that what Gallery directors, Art administrators, and Art journalists call Art is no such thing, but only a peculair canon of treasure in artistic deviancy. Most of the projects were high on gimmicks and low on art. For example, the benches for Mull, or balls for Cardigan.

What the Channel Four experiment has shown, perhaps by accident, is what we should already know. If you want art in public spaces, do not involve anyone from the Art world of admnistrators, directors, journalists and so-called Artists. The good people of St Helens showed this. Pick any small sculpture or object you like, and get Evans to industrially enlarge and erect it.

Bravo to side-step the so-called Art ‘experts’. But how did such an expert-picked Artist come to have such a lovable sculpture back home in his studio?

To put the question precisely. Who or what made the original head? In what circumstances? (Sorry to ask this if the information is out there, but Channel Four did not clarify this)
RAD
On July 24th, 2009 at 12:19 am
johhnyd said:

In reply to Mr Dixon.
From what I can gather from one of the ex-miners, the artist, Mr Plensa, had the head (dream) as his first idea for the site. Thinking that this would not please the public or the ex-miners he produced instead the giant miners lamp (shown on Channel 4) which the ex-miners thought was too literal for the site and kept the site deep rooted in the past. Consequently they rejected this proposal. Mr Plensa then shown them all his original idea (Dream) which immediately all the ex- miners loved and commisioned. The model sculpture was made by Mr Plensa in his studio in Spain, stands at 1 metre tall and is made from plaster. It was featured in the TV programme and was on display at St Helens town hall planning reception for over a year.
On August 17th, 2009 at 12:30 am
jack barber said:

Yes, we had one but the wheel fell off …..
On November 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Flick said:

I knew nothing about it until I drove back from John Lennon Airport this morning and saw what definitely looked like a giant cock protruding through the trees.
Is the artist perhaps suggesting the lady is having a DREAM about sex? No way can the view from SW be an accident.
On November 21st, 2009 at 12:30 pm
johhnyd said:

How so narrow minded. Dream has won another award this week and some backward thinking idiots still thinks it looks like a penis. Grow up…. And Flick ,,,, suggesting the lady is having a dream about sex …. she’s 9 years old …. I suggest there is only one with sex on the brain…. you.
On December 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
emmer said:

The artwork they have in Cardigan Bay is AMAZING!
On December 24th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
katie eaves said:

i loved the big art project my nan is an artist called anne eaves she is just amazing shes a realy gd drwraw from katie eaves & anne eaves
On January 10th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Insanity Workout said:

We should thank you for giving such a informative site. Your website is not only knowledgeable but also very artistic too. We find only few people who are capable of write technical content that creatively. we look for articles with regard to a subject like this. I Myself went over several websites to come across knowledge regarding this.Looking to many more from your site !!
On January 28th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Pavelu Bento said:

Hi - really good website you have made. I enjoyed reading this posting. I did want to publish a comment to tell you that the design of this site is very aesthetically sweet. I used to be a graphic designer, now I am a copy editor in chief for a marketing firm. I have always enjoyed functioning with computers and am attempting to learn code in my free time (which there is never enough of lol).
On January 31st, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Chris Sheridan said:

As a Sutton Manor lad now living in Bury (someone has to..) I was sad to watch the slow decline of the area over the last thirty years, and especially the demise of the Manor pit.

However, I went back to look at The Dream recently, and it is beautiful, and a credit to those with the insight and imagination to create such a work of art - and that is everyone in Sutton and Ct Helens.

BUT…… you have GOT to cut back the trees on the M62 … at the moment driving along the motorway I can see the TOP of the sculpture only … and yes it DOES look like a giant willy poking above the trees - I reckon the artist had a warped sense of humour, and I think its hilarious!!

At least put a gap in the trees so that passengers on the motorway will see it in its entirity for a few seconds at least

At least we now know which town is Cock of The North !!!
On March 20th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Barbara Rausch said:

Great post, I read this a while ago and, since then . I was wondering… can I translate your post into portuguese - with link to your original post, of course?
On April 25th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Jolanda Langenfeld said:

Now THAT’S what I’d call an interesting position on this subject. What I would suggest though is speaking to other people involved in the scene and bring to day any other points of view and then update or create a new article for us to . I hope you’ll take my ideas, I’m looking forward to it! Try to cover off on some graffiti characters as well if you can, they’re very popular at the moment.
On April 29th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Flora Prude said:

Hello, I’m on my son’s computer and I’ve just got back home from travelling from the M&S store by IKEA towards the turn off for St. Helens Linkway. I’d nodded off in the front passenger seat (as I often do) after an exhaustive time trying to find baroque style net curtains for our newly decorated front parlour. No luck anywhere, we even went into IKEA which never has anything nice anyway.
Anyway on our way back I had a funny dream that a large erection was growing out of the trees by the side of the M62! My other half who is a sober man not prone to expletives woke me up with a roaring and seemingly uncontrollable belly laugh I’d not heard him make since our local MP last claimed to be telling the truth. Sure enough my dream had come true, but before I could focus on the offending giant eructation complete with gentleman’s helmet, my husband was forced to swerve out of the middle lane onto the hard shoulder along with several other vehicles. All the drivers were in fits of laughter which nearly caused a serious accident as they were unable to drive safely. I’m not prone to prudeness and although I don’t understand modern art and its benefits to St Helens, I am concerned about driver safety.
Would it not be better to erect this piece of art in the town centre where it can be viewed in safety? Perhaps that nice lady Ann Summers could sponsor it by opening a shop next to it?

What do you all think, should it be relocated for the sake of safe driving?

Flora Prude

PS Can anyone advise me as to where I can buy baroque style net curtains?
On May 23rd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Shanda Mix said:

Nice! great share,great article,very usefull for me…thank
On May 27th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
johnnyd said:

Is it me but has the last couple of crass comments brought this site down a level?

Grow up please.
On June 14th, 2010 at 8:25 am
crystal wine glass said:

In a row provided by the dudes is very handy on behalf of us, Thanx to alllllll ….

The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens

OUTHOUSE, Vong Phaophanit & Claire Oboussier

ANOTHER PLACE, Antony Gormley

SUPERLAMBANANA, Taro Chiezo

Sutton Colliery

Crown Fountain, Jaume Plensa

Welcome to The Channel 4
Big Art Project in St.Helens

The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens

131 Comments on “The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens”

Leave a Reply

CLICK HERE to Have Your Say

Contact Us DIRECT

Search this site

Related Links

Archives

Feeds

The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens

OUTHOUSE, Vong Phaophanit & Claire Oboussier

ANOTHER PLACE, Antony Gormley

SUPERLAMBANANA, Taro Chiezo

Sutton Colliery

Crown Fountain, Jaume Plensa

Welcome to The Channel 4Big Art Project in St.Helens

The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens

131 Comments on “The Channel 4 Big Art Project in St.Helens”

Leave a Reply

CLICK HERE to Have Your Say

Contact Us DIRECT

Search this site

Related Links

Archives

Feeds

Welcome to The Channel 4
Big Art Project in St.Helens