Go Superlamb bananas
OFFICIAL PARTNER EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT 16.06.08
CELEBRATING THE STATUE WHICH HAS BECOME AN UNOFFICIAL SYMBOL FOR THE CITY
Go Superlamb bananas Monday, June 16, 2008
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Appearing on a street As the city prepares for its Superlambananas celebration, Vicky Anderson looks at the success of these bizarre creatures
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It has become a much loved symbol of the city
ROM today, Liverpool will be awash with more than one hundred bizarre little creatures that have become an unofficial, yet undeniable symbol of the city. Go Superlambananas is now under way, and for the next 10 weeks the public can have fun spotting the 119 customised replicas of the famous statue that will be dotted in locations all over the city and surrounding areas. Sally-Ann Wilkinson, director of Wild in Art, the company behind the event, said it had been emotional seeing the project come to fruition. She said: “This couldn’t have happened in any other city in the world. Only Liverpool could have embraced the creativity of this event with such excitement and commitment. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of sponsors and the talents of the artists, and how they have come together with such good will and passion. “I’m hoping it will make people smile, and when people walk into work they will stop and enjoy it.” As far as Culture Year events go, it’s Go Superlambananas which so far seems to have captured the imaginations of everyone from the big guns to the little fish. Some 27 community groups and 96 sponsors have been involved in Go Superlambananas, and most of the sculptures will be auctioned off for charity at the end of the run. Ms Wilkinson added: “It was a very ambitious project, and there have been only four of us working on it full time. “I’m not going to pretend it’s not been hard work, but I hope its legacy will be that it has brought the business and creative sectors closer together. “As well as that, I wanted it to embrace Liverpool communities, and really wanted the neighbourhoods to feel part of this big event, and I’m hoping that’s what we’ve achieved.” From schools and hospitals to the city’s biggest firms and bestloved personalities, everyone has been getting involved. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said his replica Baanitez, designed and sponsored by Finch – The Ideas Agency, was “a great idea and a lot of fun”. LFC itself are taking on their own kitted-out SLB, as are footballing rivals Everton. Darren Griffiths, media and publications manager at Everton FC said: “The Superlambanana has become synonymous with the city, and we are delighted to have
Artist Helene Gilmour works on her Superlambanana at the Metquarter, Liverpool an Everton-themed one. Our new kit is launched next month, so it’s entirely appropriate that the ‘lambanana has it on. “I’m sure our supporters will enjoy seeing it outside Goodison Park, and it’s a welcome addition to the Everton family.” Three will be found at the Albert Dock, where director Joe Edge said: “We are delighted to be hosting three Superlambananas to be enjoyed by visitors locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. “It will be a great addition and will be a fantastic spectacle as
part of the wider event.” But it is not all bling.
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RTIST Holly Langley designed a Superlambanana for the TUC, titled Our Working Community, and featuring multi-ethnic characters working in a variety of professions. “The more I worked on it, the more I realised what a big thing it is for Liverpool, and it’s been great to work with other artists.” Wade Deacon High School won a competition to design their very own Superlambanana,
which reflects the attitudes of youth in today’s society. “Our design was inspired by the way children label each other as Goths, Chavs or other,” the pupils wrote. “We want to mix the different cultures together to show how society in the North West has grown over the years.” Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has sponsored the Super “kalazar” banana, which even has its own Facebook following. It is an artistic interpretation of its work into the tropical disease Leishmaniasis, more
Picture: JASON ROBERTS/ jr100608lamb-2
present in the UK than ever because of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Cllr Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council and deputy chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said: “Since its arrival, the Superlambanana has captured the hearts and imagination of residents and has intrigued visitors to this city. “It has become a much loved symbol of the city’s regeneration, and we are delighted the people of Liverpool, many of whom have been directly involved in this event, can now enjoy their
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Go Superlamb bananas Monday, June 16, 2008
somewhere near you
All present and correct, the Superlambananas get ready to move out across the city
Top Banana will join staff at 20 Chapel Street favourite piece of sculpture in many different guises.” Phil Redmond, deputy chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company, added: “Go Superlambananas is a fantastic example of public art which everyone can enjoy. The public’s engagement with the Culture Year is key to its success – not just in the city centre, but out in the neighbourhoods and beyond. This event has involved everyone from big business to small community groups and that’s quite an achievement. We hope everyone will come and visit the
Pictures: COLIN LANE/ cl100608superlamb-4
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trail to see one of the most impressive art exhibitions the region has ever seen.” Around 200,000 maps of the trail showing where Superlambanana can be found are available from outlets including the 08 Place and Merseytravel information centre. It is supported by Liverpool City Council and the Culture Company. ■ FOR a copy of the Superlambanana trail map, turn to Pages 4-5. vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk
Clare Danon makes the final checks on the Superlambs
Code: cl100608superlamb-1
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Go Superlamb bananas Monday, June 16, 2008
Where to track down the Sup
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Go Superlamb bananas Monday, June 16, 2008
uperlambananas
Follow the flock – which Superlambananas will you see? ■ 1. Super ‘WiFi’ lambananafon; ACC, Liverpool. ■ 2. Sushi, Lamb, Tempurabanana Table 5 now!!; ACC, Liverpool. ■ 3. Lamb-bassador; ACC, Liverpool. ■ 4. Superchromebanana; Jury’s Inn, Kings Waterfront. ■ 5. SuperSgtPepperYellow LambSubmarineBanana; Beatles Museum, Albert Dock. ■ 6. United Lambanana; Albert Dock. ■ 7. Ewes Water Wisely; Albert Dock. ■ 8. Port-Traits; Albert Dock. ■ 9. Light Exposure, Light Emission; The Strand. ■ 10. Banana Rock; The Strand. ■ 11. Reflectana; The Strand. ■ 12. Loop of Life; Crowne Plaza, Princes Dock. ■ 13. Atlambtic Companion; Princes Dock. ■ 14. Twinkle; Malmaison, Princes Dock. ■ 15. SuperPlazalambanana; The Plaza, Old Hall Street. ■ 16. Superchaiselonguebanana; Starting location is The Radisson SAS Hotel, Old Hall Street, but look out as it moves around the city. ■ 17. Savio the Superlambanana; St Paul’s Square, Old Hall Street. ■ 18. Commercial District Skyline; St Paul’s Square, Old Hall Street. ■ 19. Mona; St Paul's Square, Old Hall Street. ■ 20. Supergrassbanana; St Paul’s Square, Old Hall Street. ■ 21. Baa-ve New World; Outside Town Hall, Castle Street. ■ 22. Supercottonwoolbanana; Cotton Exchange, Old Hall Street. ■ 23. SuperLoveBanana; Cotton Exchange courtyard. ■ 24. Superlambananaleaves; Cotton Exchange, Old Hall Street. ■ 25. First Past the Post; Number One, Old Hall Street. ■ 26. SuperLawbanana; Civil Courts, 35 Vernon Street. ■ 27. Top Banana; 20 Chapel Street. ■ 28. Rocksy; Exchange Flags. ■ 29. Chops; Exchange Flags. ■ 30. Flora; Exchange Flags. ■ 31. B of the Baa; Exchange Flags. ■ 32. Superlordmayorlambanana; Front Hall, Town Hall. ■ 33. SuperRoyalambanana; Queens Arcade, Castle Street. ■ 34. Lambline; St James Station. ■ 35. Sgt Pepper;Blakes Restaurant, North John Street. ■ 36. Superlambgranada; Liverpool ONE. ■ 37. Superconnectedlambanana; Lord St. ■ 38. Pete Price's Super Laugh Banana; Metquarter. ■ 39. I Love Granadaland; Metquarter. ■ 40. Baa-Nitez; Metquarter. ■ 41. Petite Fleur; Metquarter. ■ 42. Superfitbanana; Balcony of Millennium House, White Chapel. ■ 43. SuperWagBagBanana; Williamson Square. ■ 44. Koppy; Williamson Square. ■ 45. Homer; Wellington Column, St George’s Hall. ■ 46. Our Working Community; Wellington Column, St George’s Hall. ■ 47. Monument to the Superlambanana; Inside World Museum, William Brown Street. ■ 48. Superfive-a-daybanana; Inside Walker Art Gallery, William Brown St. ■ 49. Superlightbanana; Inside St George's Hall. ■ 50. Cargo; Inside St George’s Hall. ■ 51. Our George; St George’s Hall. ■ 52. Superlambananatree; Lime Street Station. ■ 53. Ba Ba Braille Sheep; Lime Street Station. ■ 54. Green Lamb; Holiday Inn, Lime Street. ■ 55. Friendship Forever; St John’s Shopping Centre. ■ 56. Push Me Pull Ewe; St John’s Centre. ■ 57. Beryl Sebastian; Clayton Square. ■ 58. 24hourSuperlambanana; Clayton Square. ■ 59. SuperLewis’s 152 Lamb; Lewis’s window. ■ 60. Working Towards the Future; Church Street. ■ 61. Lamsa; Bluecoat Courtyard. ■ 62. Fire Cracker To Martian Skies; Bold Street. ■ 63. The Loving Lamb; Berry Street.
■ 64. The Rope Walker; St Peter’s Square, Ropewalks. ■ 65. Yellow Superlambanana in cage; 2008 Arthouse Square. ■ 66. The Deerlamboltnana; East Village, Duke Street. ■ 67. Art Vandelist; East Village, Duke Street. ■ 68. The Best of British; Cains Brewery, Upper Parliament Street. ■ 69. Twinnylambanana; Hope Street. ■ 70. Herd Day’s Night; Hope Street. ■ 71. Purple Sky At Night; Hope Street. ■ 72. BackBitternBanana, Backbitternbanana.com; Catholic Cathedral Plaza. ■ 73. SuperStudentlambanana; Brownlow Hill. ■ 74. Superabbeyroadbanana; Brownlow Hill. ■ 75. Zip; Outside The Cornerstone Building. ■ 76. Superkalzarbanana; Pembroke Place. ■ 77. Kenny The Superlamb: Hall Lane, Kensington. ■ 78. It’s Just a Superlambanana; Community Justice Centre, Boundary St. ■ 79. The North End; Picton Children’s Centre, Lawrence Road. ■ 80. SuperLarryLambanana; Corner of Smithdown Road and Tunstall Street. ■ 81. SuperConeBanana; International Centre for Digital Content, Liverpool Innovation Park, Edge Lane. ■ 82. Stanley; Hugh Baird College, Stanley Road. ■ 83. Rocking Superlambanana; Main Restaurant, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Alder Hey. ■ 84. “Peek-a-boo” Newsham Superlambanana; Newsham Park, Newsham Drive. ■ 85. SuperFanBanana; Liverpool Football Club, Anfield Road. ■ 86. Roy G Biv; Stanley Park, Anfield Rd. ■ 87. Blueberry Banana; Blueberry School, Ackers Hall Avenue. ■ 88. Superbeezbuzzbyawildlambanana; National Wildflower Centre. ■ 89. Fazakerley Night Fever; Aintree Hospital. ■ 90. Fizz; Fazakerley Steps. ■ 91. Tinky; Grassy area outside Waltonon-the-Hill Church. ■ 92. Bridge-it; 179 Townsend Lane. ■ 93. Superlidbanana; Cedar Road and Longmoor Lane.
■ 94. Cobanana; Corner of Lower House Lane and Utting Avenue. ■ 95. Super St Domingo Lamb Banana; Goodison Park. ■ 96. The Superlambridge; Runcorn Station. ■ 97. Smiley Lamb; Runcorn Station. ■ 98. Youth Division; Speke Boulevard roundabout. ■ 99. Peel; Speke Boulevard roundabout. ■ 100. Urbananasplash; Matchworks. ■ 101. Generation 21; Top of Aigburth Rd. ■ 102. Bloomin' Lamb Banana (Petal); Woolton Street, Woolton. ■ 103. Tudorlambanana; Gateacre Brow. ■ 104. The Lee Valley CAAT; Belle Vale Shopping Centre. ■ 105. World Changer; Frontline Centre, Lawrence Road. ■ 106. Starry Sunflower; Olive Mount Gardens. ■ 107. LambMapBanana; Allerton Library. ■ 108. The Big Hope; Gateway to Hope Building, Liverpool Hope University. ■ 109. Colours of Hope; Opposite Taggart Lodge, Liverpool Hope University. ■ 110. “Mandy” Mandala Superlambanana; Princes Boulevard. ■ 111. Superlamba-x-ray and child; Liverpool Women’s Hospital. ■ 112. Cloudorama; Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. ■ 113. Past Port to the Future; Port Sunlight Vision Museum. ■ 114. Superstegbanana; Ness Gardens. ■ 115. Flora Lambanana; Park Pavilion, Birkenhead Park. ■ 116. Culture Chalk; Pyramids Shopping Centre. ■ 117. Lovemedoodle; Euston Station. ■ 118. The Highest Superlambanana; Moel Famau. ■ 119. SuperLambBanana (the original); Tithebarn Street. ■ 120. Superlambanana Baa; Look out for Superlambanana Baa, as it moves around the city.
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Sculpture has a quirkiness which Liverpudlians love Liza Williams talks to the man who commissioned the city’s iconic statue
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HE man who commissioned Superlambanana says it is popular because people can interpret the artwork in a multitude of ways. In 1998, Lewis Biggs commissioned artist Taro Chiezo to create the now iconic sculpture, but, at the time, the Director of Tate Liverpool had no idea what the final outcome would be. The work was commissioned through Artranspennine Ltd, a partnership between Tate Liverpool and the Henry Moore Foundation, as a part of a major exhibition. Ten years later, more than 100 of the creations can now be seen across the city as part of Capital of Culture year. The artwork was not an instant success, and stirred up controversy within the city in the late 1990s. However, residents have now taken it to their hearts, and Mr Biggs believes this is because of its individuality. He said: “It is popular because of its quirkiness, a number of people have misread it and have Superlambanana has been discovered in taken to residents’ hearts it something more nostalgic, but this is fine. People can interpret it in any way they like, and this is the beauty of art, it can create many different responses.” The piece was commissioned because Mr Biggs – now the
He wanted to make a statement of Liverpool being at the height of power in the 90s
Lewis Biggs says Superlambanana is so popular because it can be interpreted in a multitude of ways director of Liverpool Biennial – was very impressed by Chiezo’s body of work. “I had seen some of Taro Chiezo’s work in Tokyo, and he looked to be a very good sculptor,” he said. “I commissioned him to create something new, we did not know what he would come up with.
“He created hybrid sculptures – part mechanic, part animal – and I was impressed by his work. “He came to the city and saw the 1930s ventilation towers as a futuristic statement of the city at the height of power. “He wanted to make a statement of Liverpool being at the height of power in the 1990s,
and he looked to the city’s sunrise industries, such as computer programming, and that influence was central in the design of the Superlambanana. It was the futuristic nature that was of interest. “I always thought it would go to Wavertree Technology Park eventually, as this is where much
of Liverpool’s sunrise industry is based. “Liverpool Architect Design Trust (LADT) were given care of the sculpture and they had different ideas. “The piece then moved to different places – and the rest is history.” lizawilliams@dailypost.co.uk
How 7.5 tons of concrete became the much-loved Superlambanana
The Superlambanana under construction
THE Superlambanana started out as a fourinch model by Manhattan-based Japanese artist Taro Chiezo. Local artist Andy Small recreated it on a scale of 1:50 after being commissioned for the Art Transpennine Exhibition of 1998, by current Biennial director Lewis Biggs, to celebrate the reopening of the Tate Gallery Liverpool. It is seventeen feet long, weighs 7.5 tons, is made of concrete and steel, and cost £35,000.
The statue was originally put outside the Playhouse Theatre, in Williamson Square, but was moved to The Strand, and then other sites, after repeated vandalism. It is currently based on the corner of Tithebarn Street and Vauxhall Road, but has been spotted as far away as Spike Island, in Widnes. It was created to warn of the dangers of genetically modified food, while also reflecting Liverpool’s unique sense of humour during a time
of regeneration in the city. It has spent time in other colours. other than its famous yellow: it was painted pink to raise breast cancer awareness and purple to mark SmokeFree Liverpool in 2006. A range of 21 different ceramic replicas have been created for fans to collect, including the Super Choconana, the Super Cow Banana and a Capital of Culturethemed one. It is most commonly mistaken for a dog.
Artist Taro Chiezo – based in Manhattan
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Go Superlamb bananas Monday, June 16, 2008
The sculpture when it visited Spike Island, in Widnes
Superlambanana has taken pride of place at Mann Island
Ownership dispute for much-loved sculpture David Bartlett reports on a row that could see Superlambanana sold off
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I am very glad people in Liverpool love my sculpture
HEN the Superlambanana was first unveiled in Liverpool, as part of an art exhibition, it was met with ridicule. Despite that, artist Taro Chiezo said he declined an offer to sell the work to a museum in his native Japan and, instead, loaned it to the city. Most people in Liverpool had believed the now much loved creature – half fruit, half animal – was here to stay. But, in February, it was revealed the artist claimed it was only ever on loan for 10 years and, at the end of the city’s Capital of Culture year, it could be sold – possibly even to Manchester. So the Daily Post launched a campaign to keep the 17ft art work in Liverpool. Five months since the campaign was launched, Mr Chiezo’s legal representative Francis McEntegart and the city council remain locked in an
ownership dispute. The matter is complicated by the fact that Artranspennine, the organisation that commissioned the work in 1998, has folded. The 17ft sculpture passed to the Liverpool Architect Design Trust (LADT), and when that also folded Liverpool council took control of the artwork. Mr McEntegart sent a Freedom of Information request to the council for their documents on the matter, but was not given the original agreement between Artranspennine and Mr Chiezo, who lives in Japan. Mr McEntegart says that, although the original agreement may no longer be around, the intention was that the art work was only ever on loan. He points to the fact that the agreements between Artranspennine, LADT, and the city council state Mr Chiezo’s permission must be sought after December, 2008, to move the Superlambanana. Both Mr McEntegart and the
How the Superlambanana might look outside Manchester Town Hall
SAVE THE SUPERLAMBANANA CAMPAIGN council are hopeful of arranging a meeting to discuss the issue. For the time being, the sculpture stands guard outside Liverpool John Moores University’s learning resource centre, in Tithebarn Street. Mr Chiezo said: “I am very glad people in Liverpool love my sculpture so much. “I still remember when I
fabricated it. First I started by researching the city’s history and old ghost stories. “I talked with many people in Liverpool and then finally the work was shaped. “That became one of the major works of my career. “After exhibition, my art dealer tried to sell it to a museum in Japan, but I talked with the
director of Tate gallery and we decided to loan it to Liverpool for a period. “If Liverpool were to be Superlambanana’s permanent home, I would be very happy – because I made Superlambanana for the city of Liverpool.” Deputy chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company, Phil Redmond, said the one-time figure of fun was now a firm favourite in the city, especially with children. “However, despite all that, Superlambanana, is not the Gormleys, nor a Liver Bird . . . “So, if someone from Manchester does want to cough up for that patched-up version – go Superlamabana.” davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk
Go Superlamb bananas Monday, June 16, 2008
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Love them or hate them: but how do you rate them? Peter Jones
Anna Forster
Peter Jones, 52, company director, Southport “It’s a good idea. They brighten up the place, especially on a dull day. You can look at the Superlambanana and it brightens everything up.”
Anna Forster, 19, student, Aigburth “I don’t know, I think they’re interesting. I like the way they are dotted about and I’ve seen one with lots of patterns on, which is nice. I will be keeping an eye out for more.”
Barbara Talbot
George Schot
Barbara Talbot, 53, administration manager, Halewood “I don’t know anything about them really. I’m just wondering where they are going to put them all and if we are going to be inundated. I’ll be looking to find the new ones.”
George Schot, 26, landscape gardener, Walton “I didn’t like it when I first saw it. It was a monstrosity, but now it is our monstrosity. I know a lot of people who thought the same and now they quite like it.”
Alex Jackson
Joanna Smith
Alex Jackson, 19, plumber, Preston “They’re definitely unique. It would be interesting to go round looking for them and I’ll keep my eyes open. It’s like on the Isle of Man, only they had cows.”
Joanna Smith, 22, nursery nurse, Sheffield “We’re just visiting the passport office. I have no idea really, but I think there should be something that reflects more the steel industry.”
Superlambananas on show at The Matchworks, Speke
Picture: ANDREW TEEBAY/ at130608alambs-10
Lesley Groves
Arthur Bailey
Mike and Jayne Wootten
Jemma Collins
Carl Chisam
Lesley Groves, 41, photo lab manager, Tuebrook “I walk just by one in the mornings, so it actually brightens up my day. It will be good to have more. There’s been an odd few around and I’ll be keeping my eye out for more.”
Arthur Bailey, 62, taxi driver, St Helens “There were people who painted it pink, which I thought was quite fun, and the council said it was defacing art work. If they’re going to be all over the place, I’ll look out for them.”
Web designer Mike and retail manager Jayne Wootten, both 44, from Connah’s Quay “It brightens up the city, and anything that brightens up the place is good, because it doesn’t really look like the Capital of Culture.”
Jemma Collins, 22, sales representative, Anfield “I think it’s a very creative idea. It’s nice to see them around the city, there’s one on my way to work. I’ll definitely look out for them. The original is the best.”
Carl Chisam, 17, student, Walton “Me and my friends have some bizarre pictures of ourselves with them on our websites. It’s exciting and it’s right in town. New York’s got the Empire State, and we’ve got the Superlambanana.”