Alien (sculpture) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alien |
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The sculpture in 2015, in Grosvenor Gardens
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| Artist | David Breuer-Weil |
| Year | 2012 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Glass reinforced plastic with bronze powder coat |
| Dimensions | 600 cm (240 in) |
| Location | Mottisfont, Hampshire, England |
Alien is a huge sculpture made in 2012 by British artist David Breuer-Weil. It shows a giant human-like figure, about five times taller than a person. This figure looks like it has landed head-first into the ground.
The sculpture was first put on display in Grosvenor Gardens in London in April 2013. This was part of a special art project called "City of Sculpture." Later, in September 2015, Alien moved to a beautiful place called Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire.
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What is the Alien Sculpture Made Of?
The Alien sculpture is made from a strong material called glass reinforced plastic. It has a special bronze powder coating that makes it look like metal.
The artist first created a much smaller model, called a maquette. Then, he made the giant version from this model. If you look closely, you can see huge versions of the artist's own fingerprints on the sculpture. He also added his own drawings, like graffiti, to its surface.
What Inspired the Alien Sculpture?
David Breuer-Weil found inspiration for Alien from his own family history. His grandfather, Ernst, had to leave Austria in 1938 when the Nazis took over. When he came to England, he was sometimes seen as an "enemy alien." This term was used for people from countries that were at war with Britain, even if they were refugees.
To remember this connection, the name "Ernst" is written in big letters on the sculpture. The artwork also includes a hidden portrait of the "Kaiser of Nerac." This is a made-up ruler from an imaginary world that Breuer-Weil created for his art ideas.
What Does Alien Mean?
Breuer-Weil says that Alien is meant to make people feel surprised. He wanted it to be like an alien spaceship suddenly landing in the middle of London. He believes that every new piece of art should feel sudden and unexpected, just like an alien landing.
The sculpture is not really about science fiction creatures. Instead, it's about how we feel like we belong, or sometimes don't belong. Breuer-Weil explains that even if aliens are different, they might still be very human. He says his sculpture is much bigger than a person, but it still looks very human.
He also shared that being Jewish can sometimes feel like "landing on an alien planet." He means that Jewish people belong in the culture they live in, but their ancestors might have arrived there suddenly, like a "crash-landing."
Where Has Alien Been Displayed?
The Alien sculpture was very popular with both the public and art critics. In July 2013, Time Out magazine even named it one of the "Top 10 Public Sculptures."
It was first allowed to stay in Grosvenor Gardens for six months. Because it was so popular, permission was given for it to stay for another 18 months. The sculpture remained there until April 13, 2015. After that, it was moved to the beautiful grounds of Mottisfont in Hampshire. It was officially shown there on September 7, 2015.
