Tuesday, 20 March 2007 at 19:32
I’d seen pictures of B of the Bang before, but never taken the opportunity to head out to East Manchester to see it for myself; which is terrible really, as even from photographs I’d pretty much decided that it was amazing. But on Saturday I got a chance, so I grabbed my camera and we headed out.
I was prepared for it to be pretty spectacular, having seen it from a distance on the train before, but even as it appeared at the end of the road you can tell that it’s no ordinary sculpture. It’s size, the angle at which it leans and the fact that it seems to be supported by almost nothing, all contribute to make this one of the most stunning pieces of public art I have ever seen. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it’s the best modern art sculpture anywhere in the UK.
I’m very well aware that B of the Bang has had it’s fair share of problems and detractors. It was delayed in manufacture due to it’s complexity, and delayed in construction due to an unusually harsh autumn in 2004. Then it lost the ends of two spikes in its first year, the first shortly before its opening ceremony in January 2005 and the second in May of the same year. This lead to some remedial work in 2006, during which nine of the spikes were removed for testing: including three of the longest from the top. These three are currently sat next to the sculpture, hopefully to be reattached once people are confident in its structure again.
Locals have also complained about the colour of B of the Bang, saying that they were lead to believe it would be shiny. This is despite plans always having been to use weathering steel, the same material used for the Angel of the North, and early renders clearly showing its finished golden-brown appearance. I’m not sure where the confusion came from, but some slightly sensationalist reporting can’t have helped much. There have also been complaints regarding its movement, which has been making people nervous, as well as the perennial spending-money-on-art issue.
Personally, I like the colour. It reminds me of the orangey flash of sparks you get when gunpowder is ignited. As for the money, compare it to the Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North (as many people seem to like doing). The Angel cost £1m, and while a very impressive work of art, it is nowhere near the complexity of B of the Bang. Nor, do I believe, is it as exciting. And being from the north east I’m sure to get an ear-bashing about that when I’m next back there. ;o)
As for the movement, the fact is that it was always designed to move: totally rigid structures survive much less well in strong winds. And speaking of strong winds, guess how much damage B of the Bang sustained in the high winds and prolonged bad weather in the middle of January 2007?
None. Nothing. Not a sausage.
In gusts of up to 80mph, walls were blown over, metalwork was ripped from buildings, roads were closed, trees were felled. B of the Bang did some swaying and came through with no damage.
I’m hoping that 2007, with the super casino coming to town and continued good work coming from New East Manchester, that B of the Bang will start to get the recognition it deserves; not just from design buffs who’ve been singing its praises from Day 1, but from the people of Manchester. It’s an utterly unique and iconic work of modern art that deserves to be more highly regarded.
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In case anyone missed it, there’s a render of the potential new super casino on BBC News. Look who’s peering in on the far right!