New Hillsborough memorial statue to be unveiled in Liverpool

[Assassin]

I cant find the words.......to really explain my feelings

Its distasteful and lacks respect

[Harv]

I cant find the words.......to really explain my feelings

Its distasteful and lacks respect

I think distasteful is the right word.

The artist has tried to create a piece that "cuts to the bone", but in this case i think he/she has gone a little too far.

[Bender]

To be honest , when I clicked on this thread and that pic was the first thing I saw I was stunned and my first thought was " how the **** have the mods allowed some sick **** to post this?" .................I know it is supposed to show a message but to me it just don't seem right and the cunts of the world ( mancs) will jump on that band wagon.

Rather than have a go at the mods and me......it would be far more appropriate if you complained directly to the echo and the person who designed it.......it is a very sensitive issue and the fact it is in the echo makes it available to more people than being on this website.I didn't post this to offend anyone

[MrsB]

Rather than have a go at the mods and me......it would be far more appropriate if you complained directly to the echo and the person who designed it.......it is a very sensitive issue and the fact it is in the echo makes it available to more people than being on this website.I didn't post this to offend anyone

I don't think he was having a go at us mate, but rather expressing his shock and disbelief with the statue itself. I agree with you though that people should voice their opinion at the Echo or at least take part in the quick vote.

[wavydavy]

I've had the misfortune to be a contractor on a couple of new arts projects/galleries to have opened up in Liverpool recently. TBH I'm bored with having pieces like this one "explained" to me by some middle class educated moron who thinks he's doing something great, new and interesting. It's the "emperor's new clothes". I found that if you label modern art as crap your intelligence and ability to understand it was questioned. This piece of **** is not befitting the Hillsborough tragedy. Besides, we already have a memorial.

[Bender]

I thought this meant us .........mods allowed some sick **** to post this.......nevermind i don't want to cause any arguments so i'll forget about this.......as i said it's a very sensitive issue

[andrewces38]

Rather than have a go at the mods and me......it would be far more appropriate if you complained directly to the echo and the person who designed it.......it is a very sensitive issue and the fact it is in the echo makes it available to more people than being on this website.I didn't post this to offend anyone

I wasn't having a go at you mate has Mrs b said ,I THOUGHT it was a sick joke I'm glad you have started this thread In that way we can get something done about it .

I'm still in a bit of shock to be honest surely this artist has showed his design to someone of higher authority ? If so how was this approved or am I missing something?

[Bender]

I wasn't having a go at you mate has Mrs b said ,I THOUGHT it was a sick joke I'm glad you have started this thread In that way we can get something done about it .

I'm still in a bit of shock to be honest surely this artist has showed his design to someone of higher authority ? If so how was this approved or am I missing something?

no problem mate .........

[Exiled_red]

I agree with everyone else that it's distasteful

[Exiled_red]

This is the article that accompanies the picture

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...0252-25161561/

New Hillsborough memorial statue to be unveiled in Liverpool
Nov 14 2009 Luke Traynor

A STRIKING new memorial could be erected in Liverpool at the 21st anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

The metal artwork, to be funded by the public, is set to be unveiled in the city next April by the council’s Lord Mayor office.

It is expected to be initially stationed in the Town Hall ballroom before being moved to different locations within the city centre.

The lifesized model will stand 15 foot high and have a spiritual element with a top figure looking upwards to the heavens.

All the 96 names of those who died after the Sheffield crushes will be inscribed on the 96 flames carved into the metal stand.

The families hope football fans will drape their own scarves onto the flames when they visit the artwork

Creator Tony Evans has created a model of the memorial and is keen to gain the backing of both grieving families and survivors for the model.

But the design, which features a top figure seemingly strewn on top of a metal fence, seems set to be controversial from the outset.

A number of families and survivors have expressed concerns about the very immediate portrayal of the 1989 disaster.

Letters have been sent to the 96 families and a period of consultation is set to begin, asking people for those opinions.

The Lord Mayor’s Office, who are behind the project, are keen to stress that nothing has been approved.

A letter to Hillsborough Family Support Group members read: ““The statue is not intended to elicit sympathy, but to tell the story of a tragic event which unfortunately part of Liverpool life, and which brought, and which continues to bring, Liverpool people together and those touched by this from further afield.

“It also shows that, 21 years later, feelings have not diminished, and so many still wonder why.”

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: “When I first saw the model, I went into quiet mode because of the way it looks.

“I think it does, however, tell the story of what those people went through.”

But in other quarters, the artwork not have won favour, and was today criticised by some people.

Both the Glover family, who lost their son Ian, 20, on the Leppings Lane terraces, and mum Anne Williams, whose son Kevin, 15, died, have registered their unhappiness with the design.

Dad John Glover told the ECHO he was taken aback when he first saw it, and he said: “For those people who were at Hillsborough, seeing this could knock them back to day one.”

Cllr Steve Rotheram, last year’s Lord Mayor and Liverpool FC fan who was heavily involved in the 20th Hillsborough anniversary, first had the idea for a permanent memorial.

He said: “We will ask all the families and survivors. If it causes concerns, perhaps it’s not the right time for it.

“The first time I saw it, it knocked me back. It’s very poignant. But the last thing we want to do is cause offence.

“This design is certainly not sanitised, it’s like Jimmy McGovern’s play which was warts and all.

“It provides a visual representation of what people will automatically recognise. The main figure seems to be looking to the skies, asking ‘why?’

Artist Tony Evans, however, stressed that the approval of the families and everyone affected by the 1989 disaster was of utmost importance.

He said: “I was asked to realise something in my style and create a suitable memorial, and being a Liverpudlian and an LFC fan I was only too happy.

“I tried to create a striking image of what it must have felt like to be in that position on that day, and it hopefully shows something of the strength of character of those people and how well they coped, rather than seeing them as victims.

“I realised it was an emotional subject and we had to tread carefully. The last thing we want to do is upset anyone. I thought it was a very worthwhile subject, and will go ahead if people thought it was worthy.

“Hillsborough is a major thing for me and most of Liverpool.

“We are looking for feedback of what people think of what I've come up with, we have contacted all the support groups and are giving them a chance to see it and comment on it. They are integral to the whole thing, and that is in the process of being done.

“It's a very delicate subject and it's all very well wanting to make a great piece of artwork, but when it's something so emotional you have to speak to those who have been affected by it, and give them the final say.”

Powerful or shocking: what do you think?

Rome 77 said: "I think it could be too powerful to be honest. Not sure at all, it could offend some."

Cath Preston said: "The statue is disturbing and offensive to survivors."

Bks reds said: "Powerful statue."

R Taylor said: "It’s important for future generations to have an idea what went on that day and that won’t happen with something safe and comfortable. Memorials should evoke memory and let’s face it safe and comfortable are not words that are commonly associated with April 15, 1989."

V Gorman said: "For me this is shock art at its very best and it works on that level."

[TheElephantMan]

Disturbing, shocking, distasteful - wholly inappropriate. It won't happen.

[squaddie]

Disturbing, shocking, distasteful - wholly inappropriate. It won't happen.

Hopefully not.

[Exiled_red]

Hopefully not.