Superlambanana cavalcade will raise baa for Liverpool culture

Nov 20 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

The Superlambanana with sculptor Taro Chiezo (158)

UP TO 100 customised mini-versions of the city’s famous Superlambanana sculpture will be dotted around Liverpool for a special Capital of Culture year parade – and work is currently under way on making them ship-shape.

Organisers are on the look out for designers and sponsors for the 5ft 10in replicas as part of Go Superlambananas, an all-inclusive public arts event, in which the colourful models will forge a trail through the streets of Merseyside for ten weeks throughout 2008, from late June until September.

The search is now on for professional and amateur artists alike to submit designs for the models and for local businesses to sponsor them to allow funding for community projects.

The Daily Post, along with its sister paper the Liverpool Echo, has already signed up to sponsor two of the sculptures.

Sally Ann Wilkinson, Director of Wild in Art, said: “Go Superlambananas brings together so many different groups – the artistic and commercial worlds, local people, communities and the city – in an explosion of creativity.

“This creativity will showcase the breadth of the region’s artistic strengths and through community participation will celebrate the characteristics and sense of humour that this wonderful city is famous for around the world.”

The deadline for submissions is mid-February, 2008.

Anybody wanting to submit a design can email info@wildinart.co.uk for a submission form, while businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can email sam@wildinart.co.uk for more details.

The original Superlambanana was created by Japanese artist Taro Chiezo.

The artwork warns of the dangers of genetically modified food.

After the completion of Go Superlambananas there will be a gala auction where 75% of money raised from the sale of the sculptures will go directly to the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal for 2008-9.

Go Superlambananas is supported by Liverpool City Council and the Culture Company and is organised by Wild in Art, set up by the team who managed the successful Cow Parade events in Europe.