Wednesday 31 March 2010

Kapoor's Orbit

I'm a big fan of modern architecture and rather like the work of the sculptor Anish Kapoor, so when I heard that he'd been awarded the commission to create an enormous Olympic tower, my ears pricked up.

Having seen the renders of the tower, I'm actually not too inspired. The tower doesn't say Anish Kapoor to me. Well, there is the trumpet bell shape which was seen at the Tate Modern, and the deep rich red colour, which is a signature of his. That aside, the Kapoorness is dominated by the looping super-structure which is more akin to the steelwork of a modern roller-coaster. I like this in itself, but I don't see it as an Anish Kapoor piece. Given that this tower is sponsored by a steel magnate, it's more like a giant advert for them, saying 'look what we can do!' yet at the same time, riding on the coat-tails of Kapoor's big name in the field of culture.

What I'd like to know is if we'd be able to see it from Plumstead Common. Shrewsbury Lane definitely.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more. I like Kapoor, I like contemporary art, I even like the Olympics, but this piece of commercial tat will make the place look like a derelict fairground even before the games start.

Plummy Mummy said...

Yep I agree. Kapoor sculpture are beautiful but I fear this will devalue his work somehow.
Having said that, I'm sure when walking along Shrewsbury Lane, I'll get a thrill from seeing it and also wonder what kind of shadow it will cast on the atheletes in the stadium!

Anonymous said...

Another waste of capital. Already got a place to view the view from Sevendroog Castle.