There’s nothing quite as dull as staring at mile after mile of concrete, punctuated only by roadkill and services that bring a new definition to the word ‘squalid’. But thanks to the powers that be, there are, for a fortunate few, some chinks of light on the charcoal-coloured horizon this Bank Holiday weekend. ‘Public art’ might provide a gathering point for hoodies in the shopping centre near you, but it’s by the roadside where this artistic expression really comes into its own. Here, for your driving pleasure, we present our top 10 roadside highlights...
1. The Wicker Man
Location: M5, near Bridgwater, Somerset
Standing at around 40ft tall, he’s really called ‘Willow Man’ and was built by artist Serena de la Hay. Willow Man was destroyed by arsonists in 2001, but was quickly rebuilt.
2. Encounter
Location: Junction 11 of M62, near Warrington, Cheshire
3. Somerset Camels: Humphrey and Bernard (or Boo)
Location: M5, near Bridgwater, Somerset
Humphrey has been there for more than 20 years, since he took part in a local carnival. His friend Bernard joined him in recent years.
4. Big Heids
Location: Mossend on the M8, North Lanarkshire.
Artist David Mach based the heads on the faces of three people he came across on streets locally.
5. Horn of Polkemmet
Location: Polkemmet Country Park on the M8, between Whitburn and Harthill, West Lothian.
This 80ft high horn can’t be missed visually. Up close you’ll also hear that it transmits recorded music, poetry and prose.
6. Concrete Cows on the Dairy Crest building
Location: At the start of the M3, Sunbury, Surrey.
Milton Keynes might have the most famous concrete cows, but these ones enjoy an elevated status by virtue of the fact they’re on a roof, and they distract attention from the water works across the road.
7. Dream
Location: M62 in Merseyside.
The newest monument on the list, Dream has only just been completed. The 60ft sculpture of a head was erected on a former slag heap and was built to honour former miners.
8. Dorking Cockerel
Location: A24 in Dorking, Surrey.
The council apparently chose a cockerel to represent the town as a special breed of cockerel is one of Dorking’s most famous exports. Hmm...
9. Millennium Landmark Structure.
Location: M50 interchange, Tallaght, Dublin.
Telecommunications mast becomes art installation with a spectacular light show.
10. Angel of the North, obviously...
Location: A1, Gateshead.
Anthony Gormley’s most iconic work. Even one of the model prototypes became the first million-pound valuation on the Antiques Roadshow.
Posted In: Virals 22.05.09 at 16:27
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