Liverpool Discovers documents some of the city’s most significant historical and cultural achievements. From pioneering medical breakthroughs to leading the way in social reform, few cities can compare with its rich and fascinating history.
Copy writing © Chantal Barton
Photography © Stephen King
1 - Transport
'Stephenson's Destinator' by Aragorn Horner
This beautifully hand-crafted solid oak work is inspired by George Stephenson, his Rocket and the famous 'Rainhill Trials' of 1829. This fantastical machine pokes gentle fun at Victorians' fears of the newly invented railway and what fate might befall them on their first journey.
Stepping inside for your ‘dispensation of destiny and truth’ reveals the incredible workmanship of this interactive piece of art.
Aragorn Horner uses a variety of materials to constructs works that are interactive, and through the use of movement, sound and light, transport the audience into fantastical situations. Aragorn took part in Europe’s first Art Car Parade, constructed public installations at the Wales-based' Centre for Alternative Technology' and taken sculptures to various festivals and events across the UK.
2 - Social Justice & Radicals
'Mary Bamber - A Revolutionary Woman' by Carrie Reichardt & Nick Reynolds
St George's Plateau
An intricately mosaiced tribute to one of the country’s most influential social reformers and women’s rights campaigners. Bearing the names most if not all the suffragettes from the city, this life-size replica incorporates a working loud speaker. Closer inspection is the only way to truly appreciate the level of detail on this historically-inspired artwork with a contemporary twist.
Carrie Reichardt is a renowned craftivist. Her work has featured in publications, including Raw Vision, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, Nude, Tile and Stone, Grout, Westside, The Londonist, Abort, Mozake and That’s Life. Carrie collaborated with Nick Reynolds on a mutated mosaic elephant for the London Elephant Parade.
Nick Reynolds is the son of Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds and now harmonica player with band Alabama 3 (responsible for the Sopranos theme tune). Nick specialises in death masks and recent commissions include the late great situationist Malcolm McLaren and legendary helmsman of the Colony Room, Michael Wojas.
www.carriereichardt.co.uk
3 - Architecture & Open Spaces : 'Secret Gardens'
'The Mythophones' by Dan Fox & Dave Young
Locations Our Lady & St Nicholas' Church Garden; St James' Mount; St Luke's Churchyard; Art & Academy Garden and the Bluecoat Arts Centre Garden.
Having stood in some of Liverpool’s most secret spaces, the mysterious Mythophones evoke the unique atmosphere of their surroundings. The recordable sound unit can incorporate stories, music and sound effects to fit any location as their curious shapes transform the space.
Dan Fox is an artist working mostly with sound in all its forms. Composing, recording in studios and on location, sound design for theatre and film, RSL radio stations, multi-channel installations, making acoustic instruments, digital interfaces, Dan performs, teaches, does consultations and works to commission with the likes of Welfare State International, Dogtroep, More Music, Walk The Plank, Northumberland Lights and many others.
www.danfox.net
Dave Young trans-mutes found, used, discarded and recycled materials into strange and unexpected new forms. Amongst other things, he has created giant blue spotted concrete dragons, solar powered Edwardian Spaceships, wind-powered giants, firesculptures, air powered bugs on rickshaws, and Leviathan Horns.
www.trans-mutation.com
4 - Science & Technology
'Heaven & Earth' by Andy Plant
Pier Head
This is a telescope is dedicated to Liverpool’s very own astrophysics genius, Jeremiah Horrocks, featured in the ornate orary at the top of the telescope. This expertly constructed sculpture also features working telescopes for viewing the surroundings and a short animation inside.
Andy Plant specialises in animated and interactive artworks. He is well-known for his large-scale mechanical clocks. He has just finished an animated glass pool with a mechanical fish for a courtyard at Manchester University Hospital. Other projects include an animated garden at the new Children’s Hospital wing at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
www.andyplant.co.uk
5 - Trade & Commerce
'Sugar & Chain'by Andy Hazell
Mann Island / Gorée Plaza
This bittersweet artwork references Liverpool’s relationship with the sugar industry – from the abominations of the slave trade to the halcyon days of the Tate & Lyle refinery and Henry Tate’s patronage of the arts. This impressive sculpture with its giant shackle really comes into its own at night when lit from within.
Andy Hazell has a wide range of skills and his material choice is primarily metal. He works in a variety of scales from very small automatons to large-scale sculptures. He has a huge portfolio of work which have been
created for exhibitions and sites all over the world.
www.andyhazell.co.uk
6 - Music
'Echoes & Whispers' by Andy McKeown
Thomas Steer Way, Liverpool ONE
7 - Sport
'The Runner' by Faith Bebbington
King Park, King Dock St
This sequence of the human form is a fitting celebration of the awesome achievements of Liverpool’s past and present Olympians. Featured on websites around the world including USA Today, China Today and the India Times, this striking artwork now looks forward to London 2012.
Faith Bebbington creates permanent works in fibreglass resin mainly inspired by the process of people’s movement by referencing the early photographic studies of Edward Muybridge. Her public art commissions include works in Belfast, Derby, Manchester, Sheffield and Knowsley.
www.faithbebbington.co.uk
8 - Maritime
'Fish & Ships' by David Kemp
Coburg Wharf, Liverpool Marina
This hypnotic eco-friendly sculpture echoes the essence of the river and its story; those who travel on it, work on it, fish along it, and the plentiful wildlife within it. Its kinetic parts are animated by the wind itself as they glint in the rays of the sun and it has been produced with environmentally friendly methods.
David Kemp’s life-long connection with the sea and ships is reflected in many of his sculptures including the ‘Navigators’, on the Thames near London Bridge, the ‘Tropics Trader’ at Cornwall’s Eden Project and the ‘Wooden Whaler’ at the Scottish Museum of Fisheries. His work is in many public art galleries and museums throughout Britain, including the Arts Council Collection.
www.davidkemp.uk.com
9 - Arts & Entertainment
'Sounding Out Liverpool' by Matthew Sansom
St James' Mount
These giant parabolic ‘sound mirrors’ tempt visitors to listen to the landscape by amplifying the flow of sound around them. The artwork invites you to bounce your own stories, jokes or poems off the mirrors with its almost magical amplification of sound.
Matthew Sansom works exclusively with field recordings and found sounds, his site-specific installations and performances explore the qualities of experienced sound and its metaphysical connotations. His work has been exhibited and performed internationally, including the USA, South Korea, Germany and Spain.
www.matthewsansom.com
10 - Health
'X Ray Ted Gulf Bag' by Joe Rush
11 - Arts & Entertainment
Artwork 'Where Stars Are Made'
Artist Mike Pattison & Arts Desire
Celebrating St Helens’ little known, but significant links with Hollywood, this installation consists of three individual kaleidoscopes featuring ever-changing images of local people with connections to the silver screen.The artwork is colourfully decorated and re-awakens the child-like fascination of the kaleidoscope for adults and children alike. The images within can be interchangeable.
Mike Pattison has been making large scale mechanised art for over 18 years. He has been involved with several of the UK’s leading proponents of this genre including Emergency Exit Arts, Kinetica and Black Powder Monkeys.
Arts Desire specialise in temporary and permanent public art projects. They have produced breathtaking installations to mark many major events over the past 15 years including London’s Millennium Celebrations and the Queens Golden Jubilee.
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