Art in Blackpool South Shore

Blackpool Views

Desire

South Shore Sea Defences
Blackpool and the Fylde Coast has embarked on a programme to strengthen its sea defences. The South Shore Promenade area from Starr Gate to South Pier was completed in 2001.
The Promenade was relaid with some imagination, and a number of pieces of modern artistic scuptures were commissioned and installed, including "Desire".

Desire
"Reference to Blackpool's fetish scene but its more romantic side casts a shadow of a prickly heart."
One of the aims of modern art is surely to invoke thought. "What is it" is a common reaction, or perhaps "What is it supposed to be". On catching sight of "Desire" for the first time, the visitor may think this is a tribute to "Jaws". From the north or south, this looks like an enigma, a tall structure facing the sea, with what appear to be sharks teeth surrounding a semi-circular cutout. From the east, the hole appears heart-shaped, or perhaps bottom-shaped, and the "teeth" still look vicious.

Shark Repellant?
A close inspection reveals that the "V" shaped structure is in steel which has rusted to give its natural red appearance, and the "teeth" appear to be stainless steel. Perhaps the purpose of the structure is to repel sharks so as to make sea-bathing safe. If so, it is certainly effective as there are no sharks in the waters around Blackpool.

Discovery Trail
For walkers or tourists, we believe feature such as Desire add interest and excitement to a spot of gentle exercise. We can imagine that young children could get very exited by the various modern art features, dashing from one to the next asking parents "What is it". Naturally it must be quite frustrating for parents to admit that they don't know. Anything which creates interest and exitement, and stimulates questions must be a good thing. Lets see more of it.

We received the following relevant e-mail:-

Dear Sirs,

A very good and interresting article. My only comments are targetted at Blackpool and the Fylde council. Question, I work for a well established fabrication company called Stainless Solutions Ltd. based in Thornton-Cleveleys found just north of Blackpool. We specialise in the construction of bespoke and limited numbers of stainless steel and other metal structures, sculptures and furniture. My only concern or question is why do the council insist on using fabricators and designers outside there local district? surely they should be trying to increase the strength of local businesses and skills found in the immediate or surrounding areas. We nor any other local fabrication firms were contact or researched to complete this type of work, why?

Many Thanks,
Ben Clarkson BSc.
Creative Director.
Cleveleys, Lancashire

Have you any comments?