Alliance (sculpture) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alliance |
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| Artist | Jean-Bernard Métais |
| Year | 2009 |
| Type | Metal sculpture |
| Dimensions | 25 metres (82 ft) tall 17 metres (56 ft) diameter |
| Location | The Hayes, Cardiff |
| 51°28′40.8″N 3°10′31.44″W / 51.478000°N 3.1754000°W | |
| Owner | St David's |
Alliance is a huge sculpture in the middle of Cardiff, Wales. It stands about 25 meters (82 feet) tall. A French artist named Jean-Bernard Métais created it.
The sculpture looks like a giant arrow and a glowing hoop. It is made from stainless steel, with some parts covered in a shiny enamel. The St David's shopping center paid for Alliance as part of a big art project in the city. It was first shown to the public on December 3, 2009.
What Does Alliance Look Like?
The arrow and hoop of Alliance appear to float in the air. The hoop holds a special liquid that glows in the dark. Part of the hoop is hidden under the ground.
A hidden machine makes the hoop slowly move up and down. This movement matches the tides of the Bristol Channel. Métais, the artist, said the sculpture is like an "organic clock." He believes it connects the place with the people who see it.
At night, words are shined onto the pavement. These words are in both English and Welsh. A poet from Cardiff, Peter Finch, wrote them. The words are a clever play on the name Cardiff. They tell stories about the city's past and what it's like today.
How Alliance Was Chosen
The city wanted a special artwork that would fit well in Cardiff. It also needed to become a new landmark. So, they held a national competition to find the best design.
Artists from all over the world sent in their ideas. There were 120 entries in total! Five artists were chosen as finalists. Jean-Bernard Métais was one of them. Some people wondered why no Welsh artists were on the final list. However, a group called Safle explained that Welsh artists were considered throughout the whole process.
Métais had already created art for many cities worldwide. One of his famous works is Allotted-Time Eclipse, a cool hourglass in a botanical garden in France. Alliance was picked because it was big enough for its spot. It stands at the end of The Hayes, between the Central Library and the John Lewis store.
Building the Sculpture
Work to put up the Alliance sculpture started on November 16, 2009. It was finished in just two weeks! The huge sculpture arrived in the city center on three large trucks. A crane then carefully lifted each piece into place.
Alliance touches the ground in three spots. Its foundations go three meters (about 10 feet) deep to keep it stable.
