Where Monsters Rule (giant model monster)

OK so they’re not really follies. But there is something very endearing about those giant artificial creatures  which turn up from time to time to enhance our public spaces. And they are after all, quite useless. Here are a few I have come across, to make you smile.

 

Giant Creatures

 

This  big fish was on Donegal Quay, Belfast North Ireland.          

 

The largest mascot in Canada is Drumheller’s T-Rex. Four times the size of a real Tyrannosaurus Rex, it weighs 145,000 pounds, stands 86 feet tall and is 151 feet long.

 

 

Iggy the giant iguana has had an interesting life.  In the 1980s he lived on the roof of the Lone Star cafe in New York. Here the 40 foot monster, newly spruced up, is being lowered into his new home on the roof of the reptile house at Forth Worth Zoo, Texas in 2010.

 

 

 

This 7.5 metre high mosaic sculpture, marks the entrance to the town of Erith in South East London, England.

The design was inspired by the old town coat of arms which was adopted from the family arms of the powerful Richard de Luci, supporter of King Stephen, and owner of Erith during the reign of Stephen and Henry II.

It has disconcerted some motorists who stop to gawp and has been run over at least once.

 

 

Finally this giant puppy sculpted from flowers was located in Bilbao.

It was designed by Jeff Koons, the celebrated pop artist.

 

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Giant Fish Entwine on a Kentish Roundabout

Giant Fish entwine on a Kentish roundabout 

Motorists in Erith recently have been startled to find a set of giant mosaic fish entwined on a roundabout in Bronze Age Way. (So startled in fact that one motorist is reported to have run into it). They were even passed by the peleton of the Tour de France on their way when Stage 1 of the race took place in south east England this year

The fish, formally known as the De Luici Pike,  are one of a number of public works of art recently installed in Erith.  The ‘Erith Fish’ at it is locally known, was runner up in the Rouse Kent Public Art Award 2007, which is given each year by Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd, Kent County Council and Arts Council England, South East. Canterbury. The sculptor Gary Drostle and the council shared the £10,000 award.    

Gary Drostle told the press he was delighted his work had been honoured. He went on: “I was amazed to do so well as the competition was very stiff. The sculpture is an unusual piece of work and it is great to be recognised in this way.”

According to a Bexley Council press release the sculpture aims at combining a sense of Erith’s past through the use of the old town coat of arms (three fish) with a hopeful view of the future – with the realisation of the Thames’s key role in Erith’s future.

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