Saturday, July 12, 2014

Arachnophobia

If you have a look at the header image above, that building you see at the upper right won't be standing much longer. The Sir John Carling building housed offices for the Agricultural Ministry for many years, but was vacated some years ago, and at seven AM Sunday morning is scheduled for implosion. I wonder if I'll be awakened by the sound.

This very large sculpture called Maman stands outside the National Gallery. It is of course a spider, and having people in the shots gives it a sense of scale. It is the work of Louise Bourgeois, and is a bronze, one of several copies by the artist at locations around the world.





This last shot takes in the view south, to the Peacekeeper's Monument and the American embassy. The spider looms above everything, of course. We're going to need John Goodman and Jeff Daniels to take care of this one.





40 comments:

  1. Yikes! Whatever was the artist thinking?

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  2. Now that's cool! If I lived there I would have to find some way to work it into a fashion shoot.

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  3. I have seen this impressive sculpture outside the Tate Modern in London...

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  4. What an unique sculpture. I'm sure it gets people's attention.

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  5. What a great sculpture, it's a kind of macro shot in real life. :-)
    And about the implosion of that impressive building, I think I would go there for some photos ...

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  6. So will you change your header or keep it as a historical record?

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  7. Not my favourite Louise Bourgeois.

    Your header is history now.

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  8. I'm the designated spider 'killer' and 'flusher' in our home.

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  9. The spider's feet seem to barely touch the ground ...clever.
    Jane x

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  10. I first saw this sculpture or one like it many years ago on my very first visit to the Tate Modern in London. I've seen one once or twice since then in other places. This one has a great place to reside.

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  11. @Linda: I can see how this thing gives arachnophobics nightmares.

    @Linda: sometimes artists do strange things!

    @Tamera: it is a popular thing for people to pose under.

    @Marleen: not fond of spiders, huh?

    @VP: ah, so that's where one of the others is. I knew there was one in England.

    @Bill: it gets a lot of attention.

    @Jan: I thought of it, but that's way too early in the day!

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  12. @Andy: it is!

    @Revrunner: I haven't decided!

    @Ciel: it looks that way, yes.

    @Tex: thanks!

    @Birdman: I don't mind them, as long as they stay outside.

    @Luis: thanks!

    @Jane and Chris: that's something I've noticed in the past.

    @Sharon: I do like the setting.

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  13. The sculpture is interesting although a bit creepy.
    Will you be taking pictures of the implosion?

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  14. I'm gonna have nightmares! I'm glad I don't have to walk around these scary sculptures!

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  15. I love it! There's a very similar one in DC that's my favorite. It must be the same artist.

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  16. Geeze-a-loo, that thing is huge. Sorry to hear about the building, though.

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  17. @Judy: not likely... that's too early in the morning!

    @Cheryl: so it's not cute?

    @Krisztina: it might be... aside from London there are some others.

    @Whisk: well, it appears to have met the end of its days.

    @Stefan: I'd like one too, but where to put it?

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  18. I remember the big spider!!!!

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  19. Love the spider! There is a violence to building implosions that I find unsettling although it is always impressive to see.

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  20. That's an impressive sculpture. We have something very like it in DC and as I did a search to jog my memory, it turned out that it was done by the same sculpture. You can see it here: http://www.nga.gov/feature/sculpturegarden/sculpture/sculpture3.shtm

    That's a huge building to have to come down. Was it found to be unsafe? Or are they just making way for another version.

    Thanks for your comment on my blog William, I found it very interesting about the man in your park who likes to feed the birds in a similar way just for the joy of it.

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  21. I'm not an early day person but I think I'd get up for a building implosion. A tall tower was scheduled for implosion in the next town over. That went onto my "must do" list. It didn't go as planned (it chose not to cooperate) but was fun to photograph the attempt. And it recorded some local history.
    And though I've sort of made peace with spiders I prefer to keep my distance.

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  22. I love it! I wonder how many people freak out over it.

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  23. @Norma: yes, I've shown it to you!

    @RedPat: the last time that happened here was when they demolished the former stadium stands at Lansdowne.

    @Denise: I took a look. Same artist, but different name for the sculpture, and a slightly different look. That must be the same one Krisztina above mentioned. The building's at the end of its shelf life, but I doubt it'll be replaced.

    @Kay: I am tempted... I could just go up to the Bronson Bridge....

    @Daryl: so do I!

    @Mari: a few people certainly do!

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  24. Not a fan of the spider. And, I would be setting my alarm to see the implosion!

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  25. I remember this from another post. Always good for a second look.
    And I would so be there taking a photo.
    Loved the Arachnophobia shout out.
    Do tell just how ugly is the USA Embassy ? There is a big deal now in the US about the cookie cutter embassy that are ugly. But the new design is I think is awful and many have said not safe !

    cheers, parsnip

    cheers, parsnip

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  26. I think it's an amazing sculpture William but I think it would make me feel really uneasy, you know like one of those horrible movies where sculptures come to life..yeesh, can you imagine !!!!

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  27. that spider is a cross between cool and scary!

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  28. I hope the spiders never take over. :)

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  29. Hate spiders but would love to see this.

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  30. I hate spiders and I even had an episode with a tarantula in Africa... :-) However, this one would make look for it. It's fantastic!

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  31. An impressive sculpture. I saw one of her spiders at the Guggenheim in Bibao and it is amazing.

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  32. @Hamilton: I missed the explosion.

    @Parsnip: it took a long time, but I suppose I've gotten used to the American embassy looking the way it does.

    @Grace: the not so itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout...

    @Hilary: I like it.

    @EG: hah!

    @Jackie: it's a popular sculpture.

    @Jose: I've always enjoyed it.

    @Stuart: she's got spiders all over the world.

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