Superlambanana raises city profile at Euro event

Mar 11 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S iconic Superlambanana is causing a stir at the world’s biggest property and regeneration event, which starts today.

A family of four Superlam-bananas have taken a trip to Mipim (Marché International des Professionnels d’Immobilier) in Cannes, on the French Riviera.

The six-foot replicas of the artwork will be used to promote the city and attract visitors to the Liverpool stand.

The Daily Post is currently campaigning to keep the original 17-ft Superlambanana in Liverpool after we exclusively revealed the art work could be sold – possibly to Manchester.

The use of the artwork at Mipim is part of the Go Superlambananas exhibition which is running during Capital of Culture.

Mipim is Europe’s property and regeneration event of the year. Deals worth tens of millions of pounds are negotiated.

Attendance is seen as key to driving inward investment, and this year’s delegation is Liverpool’s biggest ever.

Paul Whitehead, head of marketing for Business Liverpool, said: “We have a yellow Superlambanana which is going outside the window of our stand, and a black one which is going to move around and will be near the press office.”

A Superlambanana will also be stationed at the Liverpool dinner, and at the city’s yacht.

“We have a fantastic stand, we have already been inundated with people while we have been building the stand,” he added.

“The signs are there for a great Mipim where we will do lots of business.”

Sally-Ann Wilkinson, director of Wild In Art, the company responsible for Go Superlam-bananas, said: “The Superlambananas’ trip to Mipim is further evidence of the vital role public art can play in a city’s regeneration.

“It also shows how a city can enhance and develop its cultural identity and ambition – a positive indicator for any potential investor or developer.

“We hope that Go Superlam-bananas in the summer will further boost the impact the Culture Year is having on the region and we are proud to play our part in it.”

davidbartlett