Artistic cover-up a welcome move

Sep 14 2007 By Gail Thomson

FOR all the anticipation over next year’s Capital of Culture extravaganza, there has been a continuing background noise of concern: namely, what to do about all the construction sites and derelict eyesores which will still be present in 2008?

Now an imaginative scheme has been dreamed up both to mark Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year, and to cover up half-finished developments during the showcase event.

It involves adorning landmark buildings in stunning artwork which will celebrate the city’s rich and unique history and culture, with images of The Beatles, the Liver Birds, and the two Cathedrals. The designs or "wraps" will also pay homage to sporting heroes in- cluding Liverpool FC legend Bill Shank- ly, and to the city’s maritime heritage.

Among the sites already identified to be draped in the artworks are the historic Port of Liverpool building – where the new posters will be used to dress those sides of the building clad in scaffolding during its £20m renovation works – and empty shops in front of Lime Street station.

Cultural leaders are to be congrat- ulated for finding a way round the fact that many of Liverpool’s flagship devel- opments will not be ready in time for the city’s showcase year. While this is to be regretted, the artworks should still send out the right message to millions of visit- ors about our regeneration and renewal.

The art pieces embrace five themes – music, art, maritime heritage, creativity, people and sport – and are meant to look to the city’s future, as well as celebrating its past. They include uplifting words and phrases to describe the way the city wants to be seen from the outside, such as "faith", "The Pool of Life", "iconic", "passion", and "A Winning Spirit".

As Jim Gill, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, says, the artwork will help to ensure that visitors see building sites as a positive sign of renewal, rather than as blots on the landscape.

This is a classic example of Liverpool’s skill at smiling in the face of adversity – and what better way to do so than by celebrating the city’s historic and cult- ural icons, of which there are so many?