Richard Wilson’s Hang On A Minute Lads, I’ve Got A Great Idea…. Comes down from DLWP roof
On Monday 15 October, Richard Wilson’s installation Hang On a Minute Lads, I’ve Got A Great Idea… was lifted, by crane, from the edge of the roof where it has balanced, precariously, since the beginning of July as part of the London 2012 Festival.
For four months, this spectacular homage to the classic British movie The Italian Job epitomised the endeavour, the ambition and the humour that Britain displayed during this most extraordinary summer of sport and culture. The coach has attracted 100,000 visitors to the Pavilion, international press coverage, hundreds of images and an additional 2,000 followers on Twitter. Over 3500 families and children participated in the associated education and learning programme. Highlights of the summer included Principal Sponsor Eddie Izzard running with the Olympic Torch, a Mini Day where 211 minis parked underneath the coach, a Drive In Movie screening of The Italian Job, and a London 2012 Festival Pop-up weekend of comedy and film including Eddie Sur Le Toit – Eddie Izzard performing in French on the roof.
Acting DLWP Director Stewart Drew says:
“We have been delighted to be able to deliver a major piece of work by one of the UK’s best known sculptors. A piece that is synonymous with British culture, evokes flag waving and has ambitions to win gold; it reflects the building and it’s engineering heritage, but most importantly it has been accessible to all. Thank you to Richard, our visitors, Bexhill and all our funders and partners for a great Olympic summer.”
Principal Sponsor Eddie Izzard says:
“When we announced that we were going to put a coach on the roof I said that by the end of 2012 I would hope that the word goes out from our country that not only do we run excellent world events, but also we balance coaches on the edges of buildings like no one else ever could. I would now say - Job done. Thank you Bexhill, thank you Great Britain. Let's remember this."
London 2012 Festival Director Ruth Mackenzie says:
“Thank you so much for creating one of the hits of the London 2012 Festival - a commission which exemplified the spirit of the festival with a world class artist making an unforgettable and free new piece which surprised and delighted 100,000 people.”
Sally Abbott, Regional Director, South East, Arts Council England says:
“Arts Council England invested more than £30 million in arts and cultural events across the country as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, including £50,000 investment from our National Lottery funded Grants for the arts scheme on Richard Wilson’s fabulous installation at De La Warr Pavilion – a real coup for the region! What lay behind this investment was the aspiration that more people than ever before should have the opportunity to experience great art and culture, and it’s clear from the visitor figures of 100,000 that the realisation of Richard’s artistic vision had huge appeal. We hope the legacy of this and all of the other Cultural Olympiad projects will be to continue to open up everyone’s eyes to the incredible arts and culture that we have available to us in this country.”
The coach has been taken into temporary storage and leaves us with a cliff-hanger – where will it go next?
For further information please contact Sally Ann Lycett on 01424 229137 or 07889730733
Image: courtesy James Cousens
Posted on Monday, 15 October 2012