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Giant horse to become £2m artwork | Giant horse to become £2m artwork |
(31 minutes later) | |
A giant white horse has won the £2m art commission for south east England dubbed the "Angel of the South". | |
The design, by former Turner Prize winner Mark Wallinger, was selected from a three-strong shortlist as part of the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project. | The design, by former Turner Prize winner Mark Wallinger, was selected from a three-strong shortlist as part of the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project. |
His design for the public art commission will see a horse standing on all four hooves at 33 times life-size. | His design for the public art commission will see a horse standing on all four hooves at 33 times life-size. |
Once built, it will dominate the north Kent landscape, standing as high as Nelson's Column at about 164ft (50m). | Once built, it will dominate the north Kent landscape, standing as high as Nelson's Column at about 164ft (50m). |
The announcement was made at Swan Valley Community School in Swanscombe in Kent, which overlooks the Springhead Park area where the giant statue will be built. | The announcement was made at Swan Valley Community School in Swanscombe in Kent, which overlooks the Springhead Park area where the giant statue will be built. |
'Tough competition' | 'Tough competition' |
Mr Wallinger, who was chosen over artists Daniel Buren and Richard Deacon, described it as a "tremendously exciting project". | |
"There was some very tough competition and I am honoured that the horse has won through," he said. | "There was some very tough competition and I am honoured that the horse has won through," he said. |
His team will be involved in an application for planning permission from Gravesham Borough Council, which is expected to take about 12 months. | His team will be involved in an application for planning permission from Gravesham Borough Council, which is expected to take about 12 months. |
The Ebbsfleet Landmark Project has been dubbed the "Angel of the South", in reference to Antony Gormley's Angel of the North sculpture which overlooks the A1 motorway in Gateshead. | The Ebbsfleet Landmark Project has been dubbed the "Angel of the South", in reference to Antony Gormley's Angel of the North sculpture which overlooks the A1 motorway in Gateshead. |
A prancing white horse is the logo for the county council and has been the symbol of Kent for hundreds of years. Mark is a superb artist of world renown and his sculpture will become a real landmark for Ebbsfleet and the whole region. Victoria PomerySelection plane chairman | |
However, a sculpture of the Invicta, supported by Kent County Council in response to Mr Wallinger's entry, was rejected by judges last year. | |
Victoria Pomery, chairman of the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project's selection panel, said their decision was based on "artistic merit". | |
She added: "Mark is a superb artist of world renown and his sculpture will become a real landmark for Ebbsfleet and the whole region." | |
Last week, organisers of the project said they were still hoping it would be in place for the London 2012 Olympics, despite the recession. | Last week, organisers of the project said they were still hoping it would be in place for the London 2012 Olympics, despite the recession. |
Project manager Mark Davy revealed to the BBC that there could be short-term funding problems for the Ebbsfleet scheme. | Project manager Mark Davy revealed to the BBC that there could be short-term funding problems for the Ebbsfleet scheme. |
It was commissioned by Eurostar, London & Continental Railways and Land Securities, the developers of Ebbsfleet Valley. | It was commissioned by Eurostar, London & Continental Railways and Land Securities, the developers of Ebbsfleet Valley. |