Angel of the North
Modern landmarks in Britain have a habit of starting life with a certain amount of controversy. The Millenium Dome and the London Eye to name two. Now we have the latest project bound to have the nation up in arms - the "Lobster Pot" - planned for somewhere over the M1. The one thing they all have in common is that initial doubts are almost always replaced with a certain amount of fondness.
I mention this because, despite having driven past it quite a few times, today was my first actual visit to the Angel of The North (accompanied by my very own Angel of The North). Impressive to a nerdy Mechanical Engineering graduate like me. If it's big and metal I generally love it. Here's an idiot's impression of the "World's largest angel sculpture" and "one of the most-viewed pieces of art in the world":
Since I've started posting photos more and more I've had some good feedback. The blogs I like the best are the ones with some glimpse in to the life of the writer. More photos from today...
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A very known one, when I travel into Wilton (our factory site) from New Castle which is about 1 hour drive by Taxi.
Well done.
I have been living no more than a mile or two away (on Durham road) from the Angel of the North for the past 3 years and never touched it. It's the sort of thing I just drive by. Although I did stop by the Penshaw Monument last week. Just off the A19 about 10 minutes from Sunderland.
{Link}
It is a copy of a Greek temple I believe. The view is very good up there on the monuments hill. Some good photo opportunites to be had. You can see Gateshead, Newcastle and Sunderland on a clear day.
Penshaw is next on the list. Will probably have a ride out there on my bike one day (waiting for the Sun of Sunderland to show its face).
I recognise the monument as my signal that I am heading the right directiom...
I read codestore for over a year now. Since you are writing more about yourself, it's nice to see that we share some interests... First there is music: I missed the Moloko concert over here (sold out within a day!!), but will go to Goldfrapp later in June... The Angel of the North reminds me of the work of Panamarenko, an artist I very much admire, also because he lives just two streets away from where I live in Antwerp. Being a nerdy Mechanical Engineering graduate, you will sure like most of his work:-) Recently, he donated a work to the city. I am planning to take some pictures of it soon (so watch you mailbox:-). This is the URL of his web-site: {Link}
The Angel is by Antony Gormley {Link} who has got another exhibition on at the moment in Newcastle's Baltic Centre {Link}
In it he has plaster-cast 200+ local people {Link}
It's advertised with the line "Come and see 240 plastered Geordies". The joke being that plastered is another way of saying drunk (Geordies are people from Newcastel (who have a reputation for being able to drink some))...
I've started putting pictures on my blog and I'm having a blast with it! I started, mainly because it became suddenly easy with a new digital camera. I've been taking pictures of EVERYTHING. Well....a lot of things. Anyway, it's much more fun to both blog and read- I enjoy your pics. Especially that one of Sri Lanka from awhile back!
Tom
Do you mean on tomsrant.com? I can't see any pictures at all...
I'm not a nerdy mechanical engineer graduate (yes, partly jealous and regretting my choice of unused college degree)... and that probably explains my reaction to the Angelo de Norte. "What the?!" Of course, we have our share of godawful 'art' here in the U.S. too...
Honestly, from the pictures, my wee bit of engineering background IS piqued... aesthetically, however, Angelo needs some briefs and a wing trimming. ;-)
Yes- TomsRant.com I make them all links instead of inline pics. I posted a couple of new ones this morning.
I've been messing with Swish and put some pics in Flash files too.
Tom