100 colourful new lives for iconic work

Feb 6 2008 by Aaron Boland, Liverpool Daily Post

100 colourful new lives for iconic work

LIVERPOOL’S much-loved Superlambanana is to be replicated 100 times round Merseyside’s public places for a mass participation art event.

Artists are being invited to pay homage to the sculpture by submitting their own designs for display as part of Capital of Culture year.

To start things off, two artists presented their own versions of Superlambanana at a reception held at Liverpool’s Static gallery last night .

Alex Corina modified the sculpture into a rocking horse, while French-born Laurence Payot poured brightly-coloured gloss paint over two of the sculptures to create a rainbow Superlambanana.

An invited audience of about 200 people watched the spectacle, staged to launch the Go Superlambananas project, commissioned by the Liverpool Culture Company.

Ms Payot, 26, who now lives in Aigburth but is originally from Marly in north-east France, said she hoped her creation would inspire other artists to offer their interpretations of the sculpture.

Mr Corina, 58, whose studio is in Garston, said: “It’s a real opportunity for artists, schools and the community to use their imaginations.”

The 100 interpretations will go on display from June 16 for 10 weeks. The closing date for submissions is February 22.

Phil Redmond, creative director of Liverpool Culture Company, said at last night’s launch: “This project is about getting people involved in the creation of culture, not just its consumption.

“I can’t think of a better way to do that than by using what is now a modern day icon of Liverpool as part of an art invasion of our streets.”

At the end of the event, many of the artists’ exhibits will be auctioned for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

ARTISTS wishing to submit a design can email info@wildinart for more details.

alanweston