Christopher and I recently paid a cultural visit to Liverpool. We stayed in Albert Dock, which is really very picturesque indeed, and we thoroughly enjoyed soaking up Liverpudlian accomplishments and art. We started out by going to the largest Anglican cathedral in the UK, which took seventy years to complete, not being finished till 1978. This seems rather a long time to me. Right by the cathedral are some very gothic gardens called St James Park. In the park there is a memorial to William Huskisson, MP, who was the first person in the world to die in a train accident. This happened at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester railway in 1830, when he failed to notice a locomotive coming towards him. It cast a bit of a damper on proceedings; but apparently the resulting publicity ensured the railway's success. So that's all right then.
The paths in the park are lined with recycled tomb stones, which was actually very interesting, although slightly creepy at the same time.
Liverpool is full of sculpture celebrating it's heritage in many ways. The Rope Horse symbolises man's struggle against slavery apparently. I like the sculpture, but I can't see the symbolism. It looks to me like a man pulling a horse's tail
Liverpool is full of sculpture celebrating it's heritage in many ways. The Rope Horse symbolises man's struggle against slavery apparently. I like the sculpture, but I can't see the symbolism. It looks to me like a man pulling a horse's tail
The lambanana also has it's own mystery. On the face of it is obviously a cross between a lamb and, wait for it, a banana. However, I have pondered the significance of the lambanana on a number of occasions. Is it a warning on the dangers of genetic engineering? Or does it symbolise Liverpool's heritage as a trading centre of the world? On the other hand maybe it's just a silly made up animal that we can have our photographs taken with.
As well as being the largest collection of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK, Albert Dock also contains a wide variety of restaurants and hotels. The Blue Bar and Grill has lovely views over the water and serves delicious food.
Even though it is apparently the restaurant of choice for the many footballers that frequent Liverpool, it wasn't that expensive, and the service was excellent.
The next day we went to the Liverpool Tate Gallery, and were actually moved to pay to see an exhibition of Leonora Carrington. As we were buying our tickets the attendant was doing his best to see if we could get some money off by asking if we were out of work or over sixty five.
"No", we said, "we've just stopped working because we don't want to do it any more."
"Oh, where do you come from?" he asked
"Southampton" we replied.
"Southampton, that's a bit rough isn't it?"
Stunned silence on our part.
I now turn to a perennial topic, but one that I never get bored with, and that is the question of: What is Art? The Tate Gallery provided me with the inspiration to start producing my own art, and although it is a bit derivative I feel that I have made a good start. I would like you to compare the following two sculptures. One is called Pile 3 '68 and it's by Barry Flanagan. The other one is called Piles and it's by Wendy Stokes.
The next day we went to the Liverpool Tate Gallery, and were actually moved to pay to see an exhibition of Leonora Carrington. As we were buying our tickets the attendant was doing his best to see if we could get some money off by asking if we were out of work or over sixty five.
"No", we said, "we've just stopped working because we don't want to do it any more."
"Oh, where do you come from?" he asked
"Southampton" we replied.
"Southampton, that's a bit rough isn't it?"
Stunned silence on our part.
I now turn to a perennial topic, but one that I never get bored with, and that is the question of: What is Art? The Tate Gallery provided me with the inspiration to start producing my own art, and although it is a bit derivative I feel that I have made a good start. I would like you to compare the following two sculptures. One is called Pile 3 '68 and it's by Barry Flanagan. The other one is called Piles and it's by Wendy Stokes.
I think you will agree that the intrinsic qualities of folded cloth, together with the warm tones, make these superior pieces of work.
If you haven't been to Liverpool, I recommend it. It is interesting, quirky and friendly. It is also inspirational - I shall be producing a lot more artwork next time I do the ironing.
If you haven't been to Liverpool, I recommend it. It is interesting, quirky and friendly. It is also inspirational - I shall be producing a lot more artwork next time I do the ironing.