Northern Angel
Are you someone who can have their breath taken away? You are left with a lump in your throat & possibly tears in your eyes? I’m one of those although it doesn’t happen often.
It always happens when I’m in Paris & whichever end I am, I come round the corner to the Eiffel tower! Astonishing. If I see the Red Arrows streak across the sky, there is that sharp in-take of breath. Listening to the Last night of the Proms at the week-end & Elgar’s stirring Pomp & Circumstance March– there were tears!
My entry for Alphabe-Thursday Letter A did the same thing when I saw it! It is the Angel of the North. No picture can do it justice. It is magnificent! Try to see the people at the feet to get some idea of size!
It was designed by Antony Gormely who has done a number of unusual sculptures & is made of steel. It is situated in Gateshead in the North of England overlooking two major roads & a railway line. It is estimated that it is seen by 90,000 people every day! The massive 54m ‘wing span’ welcomes all visitors.
One amazing fact for me is that it is built over the site of a colliery so there is a synergy about the whole area.
As is often the case with ‘unusual art’ it has its critics as well as its followers. I’m definitely in the latter camp! What about you?
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We are starting a new alphabet adventure over at Jenny Matlock’s fabulous blog. Please pop over now & see some of the others
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just had to leave a comment, breath is always held when I view this monument.. and tears start…x
I thought you might like to see this..
http://penpusherpen.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/angel-of-the-north/
lovely blog you did, and I’m definitely a follower.
Julia, I’ve never seen this before.
You’re right. It is magnificent. I was surprised at the size of it!
What a lovely link to Alphabe-Thursday in honor of the letter “A”.
This was a surprising and lovely link this week.
A
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MM I have mixed feelings about the Angel of The North. I love the idea of an angel overseeing the North. I am amazed at it’s size and presence , but I really do not like the rustiness of it . Good post tho
When you see it, is not rust so much as the colour of it. Again, it fits in with the whole ethos of the piece. Thanks for stopping by!
That is magnificent! It must be amazing in person! (I did have to look up the definition of colliery .)
Oh sorry – didn’t think of my foreigner visitors! Great to see you here!
Wow. That is amazing. I didn’t even know this existed, although I now want to stand at the base of it. So cool.
If you can – you must. It is amazing! Thanks foer popping in!
I love it – whenever I’ve seen it (from the road) it always gives me a little shiver of excitement. I love sculpture.
Great that you shiver as well! Many thanks for taking the time to comment!
Being a softy southerner I am always amazed by the Angel, mainly because it doesn’t have a coat on! At least it isn’t wearing heels 🙂
Oooo! I bet Anthony Gormley could do something about the foot wear! Great to see you!
I see it often when I visit my parents in Newcastle. It’s an astonishing piece of work, from afar and up close, sitting on its toes!
I wonder it doesn’t cause accidents on the A1 as motorists spot it!
Do you know – I thought the very same thing the first time I saw it. I suppose regualr travellers don’t notice. Many thanks for commenting!
I think that it is an incredible work. Thanks for posting this!
No probs! I think art needs to be shared. Thanks for visiting!
I love it. It’s incredible. I’m one of the latter, too 😉
Hello there! You’ve got some great iconic images over in Oz haven’t you! Thank you so much for stopping by!
I went out with a bloke who lived on the edge of Gateshead and the first time I drove up there, I couldn’t believe how close it was to the A1. You could see it from his flat, but he did live on the 10th floor. 😀
It is immense. When you see it on TV gives no sense of the size. Thanks for stopping by!
wow! I would love to go visit – awesome – thanks for sharing! Naomi
On my To Do List (The Angel tha is!) – and yes, I am always overcome by magnificent sights hence my frequent trips to the Tate Modern when I can
Really worth a visit if you can manage it. Great to see you!
I’m with you, Julia. I love it!
Thanks for popping in! Really appreciate it!