Animal magic

Pic: Save Dreamland Campaign

I bring today the joyful news from Dreamland, Margate that the rare wall and animal cages, which I did play a very small part in stopping the men with large hammers from destroying, has been listed Grade II.

The local press has an article and pictures:

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/thanet/Rare-animal-cages-saved-fun-park/article-748579-detail/article.html

Here is the listing from the DCMS:

http://i.thisis.co.uk/274201/binaries/SangersListing.pdf

Great news for those of us who are supporters of the Save Dreamland Campaign, which is moving on apace, after all the tribulations encountered along the way (including the dreadful arson attack last year which part destroyed the Grade II listed Scenic Railway, a black day when the news broke on the Dreamland forum). It is starting to sound as though dreams of a Dreamland heritage amusement park may become reality at last:

http://www.savedreamland.co.uk/

and I will be there for that historic day. Look out Margate, I may even dust off me bathing cossie and stitch up the moth holes in the knees.

I'm not so sure about the giant neon rabbit though, which was placed atop a Grade II Listed church in Liverpool throughout the winter,

24/09/2008
Neon rabbit lights up city

After being wowed by a giant spider Liverpool is about to be stopped in its tracks by a 20ft neon rabbit.

From the end of this week until next February, the turquoise creature is set to hang at the tower of one of Liverpool's most historically significant and recognisable places of worship - St James Church in Toxteth.

The Grade II listed building lies in the shadow of the Anglican Cathedral on one of the main routes into the city centre, ensuring the illuminated rabbit will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people over the next five months.

Rabbit is the fourth and final animal, by artist Ron Haselden, in a series of striking light installations as part of Liverpool Biennial's Winter Lights programme

http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/News/newsdetail_2719.asp

The piece of art was initially designed by nine-year-old Calvin Tang, which Ron Haselden selected from a competition at St Vincent de Paul School in Toxteth.

Lewis Biggs, Director of Liverpool Biennial, said: "Commissioning the brightest and best artists from around the world, and inviting them to involve themselves with local people, is what Liverpool Biennial's contribution to Capital of Culture 2008 is all about.

Yes well. I knows what I like and I'm not sure that was it really.

However, this is a great picture of it, you decide:

http://www.vanilladays.com/gallery/2008/10/church_of_the_bright_green_neon_rabbit/

Art or clart?

I see our Poet Laureate, whose work I am not the greatest of admirers I must admit, has penned a paean to architects, which , depending on your view of the profession, may or may not still be animal related.

It's printed in the Architects' Journal this week:

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/poet-laureate-pens-tribute-to-architects/1994355.article

The poem, Frozen Music, was commissioned by the RIBA and was read for the first time at the Royal Gold Medal dinner on 26 February 2009. The title of the poem is a reference to Goethe description of architecture as ‘frozen music’.RIBA president, Sunand Prasad, who read the poem says: ‘We are thrilled that Andrew Motion, the poet laureate has responded with such panache to the RIBA’s invitation to write a poem for the Institute’s 175th birthday. Andrew’s thoughtful and evocative poem will grace the RIBA’s matchless collection for years to come; a reminder that poetry and architecture are siblings.

Mmmmmm. Just remember that next time a new Tesco goes up in your local town.

Nem