Forget the illuminations, Blackpool's getting a dose of culture. Four new avant-garde public artworks are to be constructed along the Golden Mile, the first of which will be unveiled later today (Tuesday 7th August).
In future Blackpool's fifty-foot high illuminated figures will be competing with avant garde works like Peter Freeman's "Glam Rocks" - three giant pebbles placed on a raised section of the seafront. Another will be "Desire" - a giant 20-foot commission inspired by the town's reputation for dirty weekends.
Desire by Chris Knight
commissioned by Blackpool Borough Council. Photographer Evening
Gazette.
The council has commissioned the works, which will cost 拢500,000 in total, despite being refused lottery money. It hopes the exercise will to boost the town's image: it may still be a favourite destination for stag weekends and and fish and chips, but now Blackpool also has art.
Water Wings by Bruce
Williams commissioned by Blackpool Borough Council. Photographer
Joel Fildes.
Glamrock by Peter
Freeman commissioned by Blackpool Borough Council.
Photographer Peter Freeman.
The Frankenstein
Project by Tony Stallard commissioned by Blackpool Borough Council.
Photographer Joel Fildes.