Alexander Chinneck hopes London art piece will be a positive landmark
The artist hopes the enormous piece will share a playful sense of accessibility and theatre.
Artist Alexander Chinneck has said he hopes his new permanent installation in London will spread a positive message of “accessibility and eccentricity” that flies in the face of artistic elitism.
His enormous Six Pins And Half A Dozen Needles will be officially unveiled on Tuesday at Assembly London, after 14 months in the making.
The piece, which at first glance looks like an ordinary building, appears to be torn down the side like a piece of paper – a tribute to the publishing company that used to stand on the site.
He described the 20-metre, 10-tonne monument as “huge in size and theatricality”, but added: “I wanted it to join the environment, rather than dominate it, through material harmony.”
His team of engineers and various construction workers and craftsmen used 4,000 bricks and more than 1,000 stainless steel components for the piece, which will today become open to the public.
“Perhaps naively, I hope this project evolves into some kind of playful and theatrical landmark – a thing that people want to go and see when they come to London,” he said.
“I hope its qualities of accessibility and eccentricity, something a bit peculiar, deliver a positive experience.”
“The internet is taking everything into new territory and everything is becoming highly visual, with new sectors evolving that require creativity and unique approaches.
“There is a lot to be said for the monetary value that can translate into: film, dance, music, the rise of festivals, all of it is brand-building for a country.”
