One of two of Anthony Gormley's life sized rusting Iron Men loaned to Folkestone for the Triennial.
This one is situated in the last of the chambers of Coronation Parade, viewed through a series of linked and sea weathered arches. Both of the statues stand within the ebb and flow of the tide and are covered by the sea for two hours at the high water mark. They are intended to "celebrate the still and silent nature of sculpture ... within the flow of lived time".
I would have attempted to have crouched down and shot this from further away but was too concerned about slipping on the seaweed encrusted walkway. Now I know I'm getting old!
@joansmor@peadar@hermann@maggiemae@lynnz Thanks very much for taking the time to comment. I was too concerned about personal injury and who would pick me up if I slid off to get a close up:)
You made me laugh! LOL I would have been worried about slipping at any age! What a wild installment! And that they are submerged for two hours... it kind of creeps me out to think about it because I'm anthropomorphizing them. LOL At the same time, I'd love to see it and you've done a fantastic job of sharing here! I love the repeating arches, the lighting, the green mossy floor and of course, him, stoic and ever watchful! Fave!
@elatedpixie Thanks so much for commenting, glad you liked him. Will add his friend as soon as I can track him down. He's looking out o to the incoming tide and is meant to be modelled on AG himself. He's also loaned another Iron Man to Margate a little way up the coast so will have to pop up there too.
@merrelyn Thanks for commenting Merrelyn. I've just Googled Lake Ballard - have you been there? Looks an incredible place, so vast. Yes, this statue is far more lifelike I have to agree. I now want to visit Lake Ballard!
@fbailey We've been there a few times, both before and after the statues. We taught at Menzies in 1978 and 79. Some of the people we know, who live in the area, were "models" for the statues, but they wouldn't tell us which ones they were. It's an incredible place to visit and I guess they are a better fit for the landscape.
@merrelyn I watched a very short video about it. Fascinating place. I see also that two of the fifty one are now missing. So sad that nowhere on Earth is safe.
Your narrative made me chuckle. I have recently discovered I have knees, so can sympathise with the desire for safety over shot. Great sculptor and super shot of his work. I very much like the use of the framing and the repetition of the arches to give depth in the shot.
