This Golden work of art will be seen from A500
ONE of Britain's tallest sculptures is set to dominate the North Staffordshire skyline.
Architect Wolfgang Buttress has released artist's impressions of the £180,000 Golden statue planned for Tunstall.
The 21-metre steel sculpture should be in place on the old Goldendale ironworks, in Chatterley Valley, by Easter.
It will feature 1,300 glass balls which will each contain a short message or wish from people in Tunstall.
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Wolfgang updated families on his sculpture at a meeting of Nash Peake Street Residents' Association this week.
The 47-year-old, who lives in Nottingham, said: "I took inspiration from the old Goldendale factory and the amber glow that would be coming from around the factory.
"It has to be big enough to be seen from the A500 but we wanted it to be a community-based project."
The cost of the sculpture has been funded through planning agreements secured following developments in Chatterley Valley.
It will include powerful LED lights which will shine at night and act as a prism during the day to reflect sunlight around the piece.
Wolfgang added: "It is made out of Corten Steel which is the same material as the Angel of the North.
"It rusts into a lovely brown tone which will express both the steelworks and the clay of the local industry."
Golden will replace the Potteries Pyramid – which has been incorrectly sited in Chatterley Valley for the past five years.
The Potteries Pyramid should have been positioned on a roundabout near junction 15 of the M6 so it could be viewed from all angles.
And Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been unable to explain why it was put in Tunstall in the first place.
Messages for the new sculpture are being collected from pupils at Goldenhill and Summerbank primary schools as well as from shoppers at Tunstall Market. They are written on pieces of handmade paper and then put into the glass balls to keep as a legacy to the people of Tunstall.
Each message will also be logged on a website for residents to read.
Claire Spencer, aged 34, a full-time mum from Nash Peake Street: "I think it is brilliant and we are going to get a lot of people worldwide coming to view the statue. It will really put Tunstall on the map."
City council cultural development officer Paul Bailey said: "This is about reviving and reanimating an old brownfield site with an iconic piece of art.
"The Potteries Pyramid was never meant to go into Tunstall as it should be viewed from a 360 angle on a roundabout. So I think putting it in its rightful place and bringing in a new statue will be good for the area."
Golden was commissioned in February 2011 when it went out to tender.
Comments
by I_Norris
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 7:40PM
“LewisL & Webmonkey1 How exactly do 106 agreements get set agreed ? They never seem to be discussed by planning committee, I read they can help fund schemes in Community Plan (does Tunstall have one does the City have one?)
Might be worth trying to find out so that if Morrisons is approved 106 monies could be used IN Tunstall and not on Art or sucked off to some central pot never to be seen again
Areas which could attract potential obligations include: (are there any more?)
Affordable Housing
Primary and Secondary Education
Creation, maintenance and adoption of open spaces and recreational facilities
Provision or adoption of new highways and public rights of way
Library books and materials
Healthcare facilities
Police facilities
Community facilities
Travel Plans
Local employment and training strategies”
by bobble1956
Monday, November 12 2012, 9:48PM
“The building is still empty. Think of the possibilities though,it would make an absolutely amazing concert venue. Next to a railtrack which could easily be formed into a station for the venue. Easy access to the motorway both north and south,far enough away from residential property to avoid noise problems.Would something like that happen in this city? Never. Our idea of progress is to halt anything which could benefit us.”
by LewisL
Monday, November 12 2012, 5:55PM
“WebMonkey, I am quite aware this is not SOT Council money. Regardless of how it is being funded, £180k for public art is a complete waste. Perhaps Blue Planet should have thought about putting the money aside for actual improvements that would benefit the local community, not some sculpture. Yes I'm sure it would look lovely, but I cannot see exactly how this will improve the community for local people. Just out of curiosity, is the building in Chaterley Valley still empty or is it now in use?!”
by Bernwa
Monday, November 12 2012, 12:14PM
“Well, I'm sure it will look very nice, but I just cannot see hordes of chinese or americans flocking to these shores to appreciate it - nor their telling all their friends that Tunstall is the place to be these days !!
I tend not to miss much, but I'm afraid reference to the 'Potteries Pyramid' escaped me and I had to 'Google' it. I'm not surprised I didn't know about it - fancy putting it in the wrong place!
In response to dizzy 33's question - I'm afraid it's because they ARE negative improvements.
These things should be the finishing touches to significant environmental development - not to paper over the cracks produced by wasted money and bad planning.”
by WebMonkey1
Monday, November 12 2012, 9:25AM
“LewisL, SnaggleToooth, focusboy, Tunel1a this money isn't council money. It's money the builders of the Blue Planet (sits in Newcastle under Lyme for starters) put aside for one purpose of building public art. Nothing else.
When I first came across this, we were desperately trying to save Tunstall Pool, it was the first question I asked. The money isn't our money, but it's being spent in our area creating a show piece for the area. Hell, it might even bring people who've never even heard of Tunstall to look us up and take a closer look. (It might even attract a business into the Blue Planet = jobs)
http://tinyurl.com/bm4r7jj
http://tinyurl.com/4yz6kcs
http://tinyurl.com/c2shfx3”
by jiggajagga
Sunday, November 11 2012, 6:30PM
“I myself remember the glow at night as a kid living in the Talke area. It gave a weird sense of foreboding on overcast nights with a red leaden sky.
Perhaps its time for the glow of foreboding to return seeing as this lot are in power?”
by Tunnel1a
Sunday, November 11 2012, 6:19PM
“OMG have the city council gone potty (pardon the pun) not content with wasting millions on new offices when we are supposed to be in financial melt down. They can pull a not insignificant amount of money out of a hat to pay for on a stupid looking piece of... well not quite what to describe it.
What about Health and Safety? Has someone done a risk assessment on the dangers of flying glass when the kids from the local area start smashing the glass balls? At least the ones on top will take a bit more effort. Never mind I am sure the insurance will cover them? What's the betting that the £180K does not include the cost of re sighting the current Potteries Wigwam? So there's another slice of money gone.
If the council want to save money why don't they disband the department responsible for all the hideous pieces of scrap metal scattered around the area purchased under the pre texted of ART but an F in front and you may well be correct. Surely art is for everyone to enjoy not just the so called intellectuals who have to study and debate a pieces meaning.
It's about time the council leaders started to be accountable I would far sooner see this sort of money put to better use on either education or the emergency services.”
by focusboy
Saturday, November 10 2012, 2:40PM
“They can find the money for this, but they couldn't find the money to keep Tunstall baths open.”
by focusboy
Saturday, November 10 2012, 2:34PM
“"Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been unable to explain why it was put in Tunstall in the first place"
I take it that no-one at the council is familiar with the word incompetence?”
by Snaggletoooth
Saturday, November 10 2012, 12:07PM
“If the council thinks this rusty pile of chod is the answer,then how did they arrive at the question?
Bet they wouldn't put their own money into this monstrous carbuncle.”