Fury over twist in tale of sculpture
Saturday 1st August 2009, 3:00PM BST.
The chairman of Shrewsbury Public Art Partnership, which helped commission a new £350,000 Darwin sculpture in the town, has hit out after learning that it is out of alignment.
Angry Graham Galliers said the piece of public art, which it has been claimed could be as iconic as the Angel of the North, would look “ridiculous” in its current form and leave a legacy of embarrassment.
He has labelled the situation as “unacceptable” and is demanding a quick resolution to the technical problems.
Mr Galliers, speaking on behalf of the partnership team formed by members of the private sector and the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, said he did not want to see Darwin’s memory tarnished by the sculpture.
He said: “I would like to express our extreme disappointment on discovering a significant problem with the Quantum Leap sculpture.
“I only found out about the issue last Monday, although I understand that other parties were already aware of it. While I have no active on-site role, but am merely the chairman of the SPAP, I am most concerned that the current work does not comply with technical drawings or specifications.
“My belief is that it will look ridiculous in its present form and it is not acceptable. I am hopeful that the contract administrator will find out where the fault lies and resolve the issue.”
Mr Galliers also said he did not believe Shropshire Council should be liable for any additional costs.
He said: “In my view it is no different to building a bridge that does not meet in the middle. I trust all this will be resolved at an early meeting next week between all parties.”
Nobody was available for comment today from Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, the company responsible for building the 12-metre high sculpture and geo garden at Mardol Quay Gardens.
Earlier this week Shropshire Council business development manager, Dominic Wallis said the structure had been hit by technical problems which may never be resolved. However he said he was hopeful the issues would be rectified.
By Russell Roberts
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Cost £350,000? Out of alignment it may well be, but it’s an eyesore in my opinion. I can’t help but wonder just how much good that money would have done if spent elsewhere, a plaque in honour of Darwin with something useful behind it must surely be a better idea?
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I saw the original plan and noted its colour was almost white. But the construction so far looks a dreadful dirty concrete colour not at all like that shown in the papers picture?
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How much would it cost now to just abandon the whole project, and dismantle what has been built? A lot of people didn’t want this sculpture in the first place, after all. Of course Smithfield Road needs a fresh look, but the concrete slinky is not going to do that.
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what a load of rubbish waste of money spend it on
somthing usefull not useless
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Be it the slinky, or the monstrosity called Darwins Gate. I have yet to hear a complement or kind word said about either from resident or tourist.
Yet it would seem that little consultation was placed before the residents of Shrewsbury prior to
the commisioning of these two supposed sculptures.
To admit to an extortionate amount of money being spent on a single item that serves no purpose is outrageous, I’m sure the residents of Shrewsbury would have welcomed the funds being put to good use elsewhere.
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Hey guys
The weather is feeling a little forgotten. I know you’re all busy but isn’t it time you all had a moan about that instead.
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typical of this council wasting money on this awful piece of concrete thing> the money should have been used towards the rebuilding of the dilapidated swimming baths.
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“Eyesore”, “Dreadful”, “Load of rubbish”, “Waste of money”, “Monstrosity”, “Awful”………..
The dissenters always have the loudest voices. The idea of public art is to be provocative and conceive opinion. Quantum Leap is therefore a massive success, even before completion.
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I Have never seen such short sightedness, this will be the only town in the country to have a cooling facility for very large pieces of toast. you should thank your local council for that
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The concrete bollard material used is deeply unattractive and certainly delivers none of the ‘wow’ promised by the original drawings. Horrid, horrid, horrid!
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Has anyone heard what has become of the competition to compose a 3 minute fanfare which will be performed across the river from the Theatre Severn when the sculpture is finally unveiled to the public? The closing date for entries was 1st May with the winner receiving £100. Perhaps the Star could find out. Any suggestions what the fanfare could be called??
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How about Darwin’s Monstrosity
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Typical!! A bunch of know alls commission an over-priced monstrosity and then try to distance themselves from it when things go pear shaped. These people should be dangled by their ankles from the top of it (if the dodgy alignment will stand it)!!
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