Leisure Attractions In Greater Manchester

[Mez]

From Manchester Confidential

On Tuesday Antony Gormley unveiled his floating sculpture ‘Filter’ at the top of the stairs in Manchester Art Gallery - see our video below.


Why should we do this? For the sheer art of the thing, to give the city region an icon it lacks, for tourism, city morale and to provide employment. And simply because it’s therapeutic to think big and imagine the city a better place.

At Confidential we want to make a case for constructing the best public art scheme never built: a Gormley much bigger than anything else he’s done. We want to make a case for Brick Man coming to Manchester or Salford. We’ve even found the best site and it's owned by the council, cleared and nobody else seems to want it.

The story begins 21 years ago when Leeds did a stupid thing. They turned down Antony Gormley's Brick Man. Forget Gateshead and the Angel of the North, this babe was 180ft high (according to Leeds Art Gallery) and a better piece of work.

Made of millions of bricks and with access to a viewing platform in the head, it would have provided delight and surprise. It would have done that extraordinary thing that good art does, it would have made you stop, caused you to re-direct your thoughts. It would have been immovable and awe-inspiring yet very human not only in its form but in what it embodied. Brick Man would have been composed of humble bricks so that the grandeur of Man and his works would have come together with the mundane and the humdrum in one giant jaw-dropper. Gormley still considers it: "My best attempt to allude to the collective body.”


The statue should have stood outside Leeds Station. It should have become visual shorthand for Leeds, a boon for tourism authorities and an instant moment of recognition whenever the city name cropped up. But the city council lost its nerve. The council leader George Mudie instead dismissed the Brick Man out of hand, referring to the “airy-fairy views of celebrities who don't live within 100 miles of the city."

A decade later the Angel of the North was finished. Every year there’s an article in the Yorkshire Post in which a writer sobs on paper, 'Why did we turn Brick Man down?'

But great art doesn’t have a sell-by date, countless artists have returned to work that they conceived of years before. And following our interview with Antony Gormley yesterday, he still wants it built, although he’s thinking about locating it in China. When we told him of our little scheme in Manchester and Salford a twinkle came into his eye and he said, “I’d like to see that, when are you putting the story up?" When we explained where we were thinking of locating Brick Man and what the site had meant historically he got much more interested.

Confidential thinks we should finish what Leeds never started.

We should build Brick Man on the banks of the Irwell, either in the car park opposite the defunct Granada Studios tour or, better, on the other side of the Irwell, where the bypass leaps the river, in front of the Campanile hotel. See our picture. This would give it maximum exposure.

This is how big Brick Man would be




Down by the river, the perfect site for Brick Man in everyway


But why should we do this?

For the sheer art of the thing, to give the city region an icon it lacks, for tourism, city morale and to provide employment. And simply because it’s therapeutic to think big and imagine the city a better place.

Our site would mean that Brick Man would dominate the western and southern approaches of the city: by road from the M602, Chester Road and Trinity Way, by Metrolink from the Eccles and Altrincham routes. Meanwhile the mainline rail link from Manchester to Blackpool, Preston and up to Glasgow would run at its feet.

The Angel of the North, on an out of town hill, gets more than 150,000 visitors a year. Our site, a skip from the city centre, would get twice as many. Especially if there was a viewing platform in the head – a bit like the Statue of Liberty. There would be a huge boost to the economy, after the initial outlay in construction costs (the original 1986 Leeds' Brick Man had a budget of £600,000). It would also help the regeneration (when the recovery comes) of this part of the Irwell bank.

Our site could not be more appropriate as well.

It’s close to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) which contains the oldest surviving rail station anywhere. The rail line, the one that began the railway age in 1830, runs adjacent to the site. Not far away is the Bridgewater Canal which in the 1760s brought coal cheaply into Manchester.

Thus Brick Man would stand right over the site that more than any other helped create the world’s first industrial society. We are still living the consequences of that Industrial Revolution, we are still part of the story that began here.

Thus Brick Man would stand right over the site that more than any other helped create the world’s first industrial society. We are still living the consequences of that Industrial Revolution, we are still part of the story that began here.

What a place then for our colossus of brick to watch over, capturing the humanity, the struggle, the triumphs since that epoch-making time: looking back but looking forward too.


It’s even right that Brick Man would stare down on Coronation Street. You might even think of him as ‘a fanfare for the common man’ composed of compressed and baked clay. Ashes to ashes and all that.

This fits again. Part of the way round recessions in the past was to construct public works to provide employment. This week Tameside has stated it wants to set £12m aside to do the same in this recession. It was through this method that Bolton got its Town Hall in the 1860s.

Brick Man would also give us an iconic structure – at last. Despite the excellent Imperial War Museum North and Manchester’s glorious Town Hall, state the city name to an outsider who’s never been, and there’s no Eiffel Tower moment. No building that leaps to the mind’s eye. This would correct that.

And if the beautiful ‘B of the Bang’ has to go, then Brick Man would give us a compensatory and better sited giant of the art world.

If we build it, they will come.

Let’s start raising the money, shall we?

[Chogmook]

Now that would be a turn up for the books!

Build it.

Now.

[spoonsbeatfish]

Love the idea! We need an iconic figure for the city, great place in terms of history blending with art, would bring more people to that end of town, increases the art/cultural offer, provides a viewing platform over Castlefield, generates tourism. There are many reasons this should go ahead!!!!

[Mez]

Maybe have two either side of the river...ala

[GShutty]

Another good article from ManCon.

Go on then, as it seems there's a poll starting, I'll give it the nod too.

[Mez]

I must say, I'm not entire for this. I think it's a bit easy. B of the Bang was a great effort. It's a shame it simply didn't work.

The fact that Ken Livingstone is one of many southerners backing the 'Angel of the South' proposal (3 times taller than its northern brother/sister), I reckon Brick man would be eclipsed very quickly.

edit: Just read about the soft southern nancy angel.

It appears the landmark won't be an 'angel' at all. Here's one of the proposals

[kids]

If i was Gormley (!) that someone would do my job for me would insult me, as an artist and not a brand.

[Beram]

The failure of B of the Bang was a shame, (an embarrassing one at that), and something to replace it might be welcome. But while the Brick Man looks great, I think a "rulers out lads" height/prestige war is something we should avoid. Where height is concerned, just because you build something enormous doesn't mean it will inevitably become visual shorthand for its city, and whatever you build is going to get trumped.

Example: Spire / Monument of Light in Dublin. Very tall compared to the rest of the Irish capital, quite beautiful (in my opinion) and a waypoint in any journey through the city. But it's hardly earth-shatteringly original -- and it's definitely not the most recognised symbol for Dublin. (Go on Google images search and put in "Dublin", look on the Wikipedia page, etc.)

Compare the Eiffel Tower - shorthand for Paris and, when built, recognised internationally as heralding the onset of modernity. The Angel of the North is hardly comparable, but it was definitely perceived as highly original when built. If the Brick Man had been constructed in Leeds, then it might be of comparable stature [EDIT: to the Angel, that is, not the Eiffel Tower!] -- but to build it today would be a bit unimaginative.

Not to sound moribund, but I think we'd be better off investing in some excellent cityscaping (parts of Manchester are in dire need of it), injecting more liveliness into our neighbourhoods, encouraging innovative cultural endeavours, etc. Pedestrianising a large part of Deansgate, planting trees and so on, creating a boulevard, would be preferable to me. Concentrate on streets, not structures.

imho

[Sir Miles Platting]

probably the sensible thing to do.

but a bit boring...

[Beram]

Guilty!

[GShutty]

I don't think they need be mutually exclusive. The river Irwell project to create walkways from Greengate to Media City, is something that should have long-since happened & is attracting public money at last.

The Brick Man for example, on the other hand could be more iconic and be funded by annual sponsorship, as per the London-Eye (although not at present).

Both are good ways to improve the city offer.

[flange]

Leonardo exhibition arrives

Yakub Qureshi

February 12, 2009

PRICELESS drawings by Leonardo DaVinci have arrived in Manchester where they will go on public display for the first time.

The works give a glimpse into the incredible mind of the all-round genius - including inventions centuries ahead of their time, detailed studies of human anatomy, and flawless maps of his native Florence.

Many of the drawings also feature the famous DaVinci code - the artist's backward writing used to shield his observations from prying eyes.

The ten works from the Royal Collection, which have not been shown in public until now, will go on display at the Manchester Art Gallery on Saturday.

The drawings are normally stored in the library of Windsor Castle, part of thousands of artworks amassed by Britain's Royal family over the centuries.

The group of 200 drawings and sketches by the Renaissance master are the jewel the crown of Royal Collection but mystery surrounds how these works came into their possession.

The drawings were saved by 16th century sculptor Pompeo Leoni and later purchased by English aristocrat, the Earl of Arundel.

But they disappeared for several years, and were later listed in the collection of King George V in 1690. However, no documents exist to show how and when they were acquired.

Hailed as one of the most important artists of all time, DaVinci excelled in sculpture, architecture, and painting as well as displaying amazing insights in virtually every field of science.

Born in Tuscany in 1452, DaVinci produced hundreds of paintings, sketches and notebooks up until his death at the age of 67.

Inventions

As well as masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, his sketches reveal incredibly advanced designs for inventions such as tanks, helicopter, and solar power.

Among the pictures on display are designs for an advanced form of cannon, a detailed picture of a human skull, and a caricature of an elderly couple.

Andrew Loukes, a curator at the Manchester Art Gallery, said that although the ten pictures had been in the ownership of the Royal family for centuries, very few people have had the opportunity to view them up close.

He said: "These drawings are six hundred years old but are in incredible condition so you can tell they have not been viewed very often.

"This is a selection of works from a collection of 200 drawings. They represent the huge variety of interests that Leonardo had and cover his work as a young man right up to his death. There are drawings of inventions and a portrait of a young girl, which is very similar to the Mona Lisa.

"Although they are not on grand-scale they are extremely valuable because you can see Leonardo's mind at work and the huge diversity of subjects which fascinated him."

"They are part of the biggest collection of Leonardo's works. We don't know how they came into the possession of the Royal family, although they are believed to have been acquired by William III."

The fragile chalk and ink drawings, which will be on display till May 4, have to be kept in special conditions and have never been on long-term exhibition.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....bition_arrives

[flange]

Bids open for £20.7m BMX track

12th February 2009

By James Graham - Business Correspondent

MANCHESTER City Council is pushing ahead with plans to build a £20.7m indoor BMX track at Sportcity.

Construction businesses have been invited to bid for the design and build work for the proposed site adjacent to the velodrome in East Manchester.

Following the loss of East Manchester's proposed super casino, the council is keen to turn the area - home to Manchester City FC - into a centre for leisure activities.

Manchester Leisure and the regeneration quango New East Manchester have been working up the BMX track proposals in recent months.

Now a tender document has been published inviting companies to bid for the work which has a total value of £20.75m.

The document states five or six companies, each with a minimum annual turnover of £50m, will be contracted to handle the 14-month job.

According to the plans the site, to be built on one of the velodrome's car parks, will seat 4,500 for national and international competitions.

It will be linked to the velodrome and feature a large timber-framed dome roof as well as four sports halls for community use.

BMX racing is considered to be a growing sport after making its debut at the Beijing Olympics. Crewe-based Shanaze Reade crashed out of the Olympics but is a favourite to take gold at the 2012 games in London.

The deadline for expressions of interest is March 16.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/

[jrb]

Nobody has BMX bikes anymore. Will somebody please tell the council. Now that would be a white elephant.

[dgnr8]

Soz Jerb, you couldn't be more wrong there. This is something that'll bring a wide range of youngsters and pro bikers to the area. You only have to look at the success of that shitty indoor bike track in Stockport, or venture to the piss poor attempts at providing biking facilities in parks near student areas. In Hyde Park Leeds alone, you've got 3 crap half pipes and a couple of ramps in the space of roughly a penalty box, and you should see the hundreds of students and local kids who spend all day hanging around there with their bikes and skateboards.

A proper centre for them would be huge and it's something England has lacked since forever.

[The Longford]

Originally Posted by jrb

Nobody has BMX bikes anymore. Will somebody please tell the council. Now that would be a white elephant.

jrb showing how in touch wiv da kids he is!

I think this is a fucking brilliant idea - both from a sport facility point of view and from a social point of view aswell.
Track racing may still be seen as a bit to unatainable for your average kid but BMX is perfect for 'street' kids.
Look how well we have done once decent track racing had a facility - we will smash it in the world of BMX (and maybe get a few kids off the streets in the mean time) once this gets going.

A brilliant idea and worth every penny in my opinion. Far from being a white elephant this facility will be the envy of not only other british cities but many world cities aswell.

[jrb]

OK! OK!

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear.

I don't often see BMX bikes anymore. Hence my post. To create a centre for just BMX bikes would be silly. I still hold that view. Incorporate it with a skate boarding park, a climbing wall and other sports and social related activites aimed at teenagers and young adults, then you have something worth building. It needs to be more than just a BMX track.

[macc]

The BMX track Sounds ace to me.

Just a shame that the only kids it will serve are those within riding distance, as the fancy new metrolink stop on the doorstep won't let you take your BMX on it.

[jrb]

Originally Posted by macc

The BMX track Sounds ace to me.

Just a shame that the only kids it will serve are those within riding distance, as the fancy new metrolink stop on the doorstep won't let you take your BMX on it.

I pressume you'll be able to hire them.

[Frodz]

Originally Posted by jrb

Incorporate it with a skate boarding park, a climbing wall and other sports and social related activites aimed at teenagers and young adults, then you have something worth building. It needs to be more than just a BMX track.

I agree, something like that extreme sports park that was being talked about before would be amazing.

Originally Posted by jrb

I pressume you'll be able to hire them.

Which kind of removes the point of it being a centre for kids who like BMXing and therefore have a bike........