I was wondering what everyone was thinking of the recently selected 5 proposals for the Angel of the South??
I adore the Angel of the North - I love all Gormley's work - and I think the present commission will have to be pretty impressive to beat Gateshead.
I must have missed any other publicity about any other proposals so I don't know what they were like, but I find this final selection a little . . . dare I say . . . disappointing . . .
Of all of them I like Le Brun's best. I like the way that it can change with the light of the day, it has motion where the North's Angel has static power. Le Brun's also has a kind of ethereal quality.
As for Wallinger, I can see the connections that the south has historically - ie chalk horses etc, and that a huge horse would be dynamic, but it just seems too easy, a kind of fodder for the masses (pardon the pun). Also, being a racehorse, and though extremely beautiful, it just becomes a bit class-associated, and I think misrepresents the South as I know it living here.
Better stop now!! Or I'll rattle on all day!
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Here's the official website: http://www.ebbsfleetlandmark.com/

I am looking forward to it.I only caught the tail end of the news yesterday,so I don't know what the five choices are,I only glimpsed the Horse.But I like the idea,even though I suppose the money could be spent elsewhere!
It will liven up a desolate area and will be a nice welcome for our european neighbours.

Hi Wendy If you're interested in having a look, I have put a link at the bottom of my post (above). As for the funding, it doesn't look to me as if there is any public cash involved. It's the same as someone buying a piece of our work, but it's just a million times bigger and out there for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks for that. I really like the Wing.