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‘Bronze of ex-president would clutter up Grosvenor Square’
Art ‘jury’ decides Ronald Reagan has not been dead long enough to deserve statue honour
A BRONZE statue of Ronald Reagan has been turned down for a spot in Grosvenor Square.
The West End Extra has learned how the attempt to honour the former American president caused a major stir among a panel of experts, recruited by Westminster City Council to vet which public art should be allowed to be erected in central London.
It was argued that as Reagan only died four years ago, more time needed to pass before such a tribute should be considered. The panel also debated behind closed doors whether sculptor Chas Fagan’s work had enough “gravitas” for a project in such a prominent location.
None of the panel had heard of Mr Fagan’s previous efforts, even though his portrait work is hung on the walls of the White House and his bronze sculptures and reliefs are on display across the United States and in some parts of Europe.
A statue of Reagan’s successor, George Bush Snr, made by Mr Fagan stands in Houston and he is so well thought of, Nancy Reagan, the former president’s wife, has reportedly worked with him to perfect the likeness of her husband.
But the proposal for Mr Fagan’s latest work to stand in Grosvenor Square was given a firm thumbs down by the Westminster Public Art Advisory Panel in April and, for the time being at least, Reagan will not be joining Eisenhower in the garden square outside the American Embassy.
Minutes released to the West End Extra under the Freedom of Information Act said: “The panel were uneasy about a number of aspects of this proposal. Their concerns fell into three categories: selection of artist, quality of the work and the appropriate use of the site.”
The panel’s conclusions said that Reagan’s connection to the area was “not more so than any one of a number of equally deserving former presidents” and that the statue risked causing “clutter”.
Westminster takes guidance from the advisory panel before decisions on planning permission are made. It dismissed the possibility of an exception being made from a general rule that “10 years should elapse” after a notable figure’s death before statues and monuments are considered.
Reagan was president between 1981 and 1989, during which time he forged a famously close relationship with then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He is often seen as a divisive figure with the merits of his tax and foreign policy a source of debate among academics and historians.
Mr Fagan, who is based in the United States and was unavailable for comment this week, created the sculpture to show Reagan resting his arm on the Berlin Wall. Photos of the suggested work were not released but the minutes added that the panel felt “the pose was felt to be weak” and that “the piece was felt to lack the gravitas required for a distinguished subject such as Reagan”.
Westminster draws advice from experts in the fields of art, architecture and sculpture because it has so many applications, often in some of the most famous locations in the capital.
The panel rules on everything from light displays in Carnaby Street to Antony Gormley’s plans for a memorial to victims of the July 7 bombings in Hyde Park. Other local authorities in London are not swamped by as many applications for public art.
Panel members are generally drawn from acclaimed institutions like the Royal Academy of Art.
The minutes added: “The panel would like to be reassured of the integrity of the selection process and that the sculptor is an artist of suitable standing for a commission in a location of this significance.”
The West End Extra has been handed minutes from a series of meetings of Westminster’s Public Art Advisory Panel. Here are some other works that have not been met with the most enthusiastic responses
Banksy’s Murdered Phone Box, Soho Square
Guerilla artist’s old-fashioned red telephone box, bent-double and symbolically bleeding from a pickaxe attack.
The panel: “Taken to depot. Artist should be asked if he has a particular site in mind.”
Overwhelming World of Desire, Hertford House – home of Wallace Collection
Giant decorative steel orchid made by sculptor Mark Quinn
The panel: “It would be anachronistic. Would be happier if the time and effort of the applicant goes into getting the fountain there working again.”
Blue Rain at the London School of Economics
Proposal: Blue lights into the brickwork of the university library illuminate the title of books as they are checked at loans desk. When more than one book is taken out, the titles overlap creating a jumble of lights and a “Blue Rain” effect.
The panel: “Felt that the piece would only come into its own at dusk. Not encouraged by the examples of the artist’s previous work.”
n Sir Anthony Caro’s Millbank Steps, Parliament Square
Large steel sculpture by one of country’s leading artists, since sold at auction after its offer as a gift was declined by Westminster City Council.
The panel: “Parliament Square not a suitable site. Artists should suggest a number of locations and conduct a site evaluation for each.” |
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