Antony Gormley's work 'Earthbound: Plant' has been installed at the entrance to the Downing Site which is a hotchpotch of University Departments, including the one where I did my PhD (along with @helenmoss who was in a different Department which shared our odd little building). The soles of these feet are attached to a 6'4" cast iron figure, made by casting Gormley himself, which is buried head first in the ground. It's on long term loan from the Royal Academy to the MacDonald Institute for Archaeological Research which seems like the perfect place to have it - it makes me want to excavate and find out what's beneath the surface.
Long term loan & I should think it is if they have buried it in the floor!!! What an amazing idea, he has a very edgy style & perhaps no conceit if he buries his work where no one can see it!! So interesting Judith!!! I think perhaps something knowledgeable to discuss if you want to impress! LOL !
As has been said, it is thought-provoking, and makes me wonder how many people walk over it without realising what is underneath. As it is, the soles are rather beautiful!
Yay - another Downing Site alumnus! Where were you - I was/am still Plant Sciences - can't believe I practically walked over this thing for years until I found out what it was for my shot of it a month or so ago!
@katharinehubbard I thought that but I think it's fairly new? I was in Biochemistry in the Sir William Hardy Building and then I was in Pathology but based at Addenbrooke's and then in Biotech across the road and then industry - I've been around!
Love the pic, but I'll be honest - I really don't 'get' most of Gormley's work. I thought the 'suicide' statues were distasteful at best. Anyway - nice shot! :)
ooh I didn't know about this - I must go and seee it - definitely remember a good few days during my PhD years when I would have happily buried myself headfirst in concrete!
July 6th, 2012
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