Superlambanana is a bright yellow statue located in Liverpool, England. Weighing nearly 8 tons (7.9 tons long) and standing at an altitude of 5.2 meters (17 feet), it is intended as a cross between bananas and sheep and designed by Manhattan-based Japanese artist Taro Chiezo. It currently stands on Tithebarn Street, outside Liverpool's Learning Center/Learning Center Liverpool John Moores Avril Roberts University, previously located at Wapping near Albert Dock.
Chiezo himself only created a four-inch model; full size replicas were made by four local artists: Andy Small, Julian Taylor, Tommy Reason and Ray Stokes. Developed for the ArtTransPennine Exhibition of 1998, the statue is a commentary on the dangers of genetic engineering and is also heavily influenced by the history of Liverpool: historically both sheep and bananas are common cargo at the city docks.
In 2008, as part of Liverpool's year position as European Cultural Capital, 125 individually-designed miniature replicas were created. Sponsored by local community organizations and business in the city, Superlambananas mini is located throughout Liverpool and Merseyside areas. One statue, The Highest SuperLambBanana , is located above Moel Famau, North Wales, which recognizes the very close relationship that the city has with the region.
Video Superlambanana
Origin
The statue was made for the ArtTransPennine Exhibition in 1998, part of an initiative to create 'art corridors' through Northern England. The contribution of Liverpool, designed by Japanese artist Taro Chiezo, is Superlambanana which was inaugurated into the city at the reopening of the Liverpool branch of the famous Tate Gallery. An ironic comment about the dangers of genetic engineering, it was developed with a special city in mind because both bananas and sheep were once common cargo at the bustling Liverpool docks. The thinking behind Chiezo's Superlambanana is the creation of something that "speaks of the future of the 90s of Liverpool". He had previously visited the city and was inspired by the ventilation shaft of the Queensway Tunnel, in particular the symbolism of how important parts of the 1930 technique had been incorporated into the larger 'sculpture' (or in this case an aesthetically appealing building). Chiezo himself made only a four-inch model, with four local sculptors: Andy Small, Julian Taylor, Tommy Reason and Ray Stokes, recreating it on a 50: 1 scale.
It was fabricated using a wire-mesh frame that supports concrete and fiberglass shell and was developed at the former Bryant and May Matchworks plant in the south of the City for a total cost of Ã, £ 35,000. The statue was initially considered controversial and there was skepticism about its purpose and its value. It soon became a popular symbol in the city and precious public artwork. At the end of the ArtTransPennine Exhibition, the responsibility for the statue is left to the Liverpool Architecture & amp; Design Trust.
Maps Superlambanana
Time in Liverpool area
Because the conception of the statue was meant to move around the city and not remain in one location. Originally located on the Strand near the famous Liverpool Liver Building and has since been in several places including Williamson Square, Spike Island in Halton, Cheshire, and at Wapping, close to Albert Dock. Council leader Warren Bradley also suggested that the statue could be moved to Garston in the south of the city in the near future.
Despite its usual yellow color, the statue is sometimes given a temporary painting as part of the sponsorship arrangement. Colors have included pink, during the sponsorship period by breast cancer awareness, breakthroughs, Friesian cow color during the quasi-vandalism period, and purple during the SmokeFree Liverpool campaign.
After Liverpool
There has been much speculation about the future of the statue after it emerged that it was only lent to the city council of the artist and it has been suggested that the statue could be sold to Manchester's neighbor Liverpool. In September 2008 talks began between Liverpool Culture Company and Taro Chiezo's representatives about guarding the statue in Liverpool.
Six months later, in February 2009, it was announced that an agreement had been reached between the two parties that would see a new replica model made by the original sculptor Julian Taylor who would remain in the city for the next 80 years. It is expected now that Superlambanana will be returned to Chiezo for auction.
Go to Superlambananas !
As part of the celebration of Liverpool's Cultural Capital, 125 replicas two meters from Superlambanana are assigned and located throughout Liverpool and the surrounding area. Mini Superlambananas is developed in partnership between Liverpool Cultural Company and Wild in Art, with each sponsored by a local or business institution and designed by members of the local community. Miniature Superlambananas is on display for ten weeks, from June to August 2008. The Liverpool Echo partnered with the event, released a location map and a guide on every mini > Superlambanana to encourage locals to get involved. All but two of them are in the Merseyside area. Lovemedoodle is located at Euston train station in London for a while until it is moved back to Liverpool Lime Street station, while The Highest SuperLambBanana is located above Moel Famau in North Wales and sponsored by Denbighshire County Council.
At the end of their ten-week run, mini Superlambananas are auctioned off to God's Mayors' deeds, each with a guide price ranging from Ã, £ 3,000 to Ã, £ 8,000. The first of two auctions was held at St. George's Hall on 9 September 2008 with 68 Superlambananas for sale. In total they are sold with a combined amount of Ã,  £ 550,000 or about Ã,  £ 7,800 each, well above estimates. The highest offer on the night was Ã,  £ 25,000, paid by the Chairman of the National Museum of Liverpool for Mandy Superlambanana 'Mandy', while Phil Redmond, creative director of Liverpool Cultural Company, bought four lots for a total Ã, £ 55,000. Other notable patrons include comedian John Bishop, playwright Fred Lawless and Craig Phillips' Big Brother star. The second, internet-based auction (hosted by AuctionYourProperty) took place on 16 September 2008 with 25% of proceeds going charity.
Superlambananas back
At the beginning of 2010, eight new replicas two meters from Superlambanana, known as "Eight to 08" are assigned as permanent public artwork. Originally stationed at The Strand, in front of Cunard and the Heart Building, they are destined to be moved to the new Lime Street station upon completion.
In October 2014, four of 'Eight to 08' have been moved to Pier Head, outside of the new Liverpool Museum. Mandy Mandala Superlambanana is in the museum itself.
References
External links
- Official Superlambanana website
- Official GoSuperboard website
- GoSuperboard Maps
- BBC - Superlambananas to return to Liverpool March 2010
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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