Sealed with a (Marmite) Kiss

There is a shortage of follies to report here at present so I thought we might look at some folly-esque public art. Follies are not to everyone’s taste  –  so what could be more of an acquired taste than a Marmite statue?

Following on the success of last year’s Guinness flavoured Marmite, the company brought out a limited edition “I Love You” Champagne flavoured Marmite for Valentine’s day on February 14th 2008.

To publicise it the manufacturers commissioned sculptor, Jeremy Fattorini to recreate Rodin’s celebrated sculpture, ‘The Kiss’, in Marmite. The work was ‘unveiled’ in London’s Greenwich Park.

Fattorini took nearly two and a half weeks to sculpt the 7ft replica statue which was coated in 420 jars of Limited Edition ‘I Love You’ Champagne Marmite. The artist said: “It will be interesting to see if this gains more popularity than the statue at St Pancras. I’m sure that Marmite will once again polarize the nation – you’ll either love it or hate it. It’s a good thing I like the stuff, as I was licking my fingers as I created it!”

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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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