Big Horn, Manchester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Horn, Manchester |
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The Big Horn sculpture in 2009
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| Artist | David Kemp  |
| Medium | steel |
| Dimensions | 10 m (33 ft) × 15 m (49 ft) |
| Location | Northern Quarter, Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 53°28′58″N 2°14′12″W / 53.4828°N 2.2367°W |
The Big Horn is a giant sculpture shaped like a trombone. You can find it in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, England. It's really tall, about 10 meters (33 feet) high!
This unique artwork was first placed on the remains of an old hat factory building. In 2017, the area was planned for new buildings. So, the Big Horn was carefully taken down and stored away. Later, it found a new home at Afflecks Palace, a popular shopping spot.
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Where to Find the Big Horn
The Big Horn sculpture is located in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. This area is known for its cool shops and creative vibe. The sculpture used to be at the corner of Tib Street and Church Street.
Many interesting buildings are nearby. These include the Black Dog Ballroom, the Sachas Hotel, and The Light Hotel. It's a busy and exciting part of the city.
The Story of the Big Horn Sculpture
How the Sculpture Was Made
The Big Horn looks like a giant musical instrument, maybe a trombone or a serpent. It also has other objects attached to it. The artist, David Kemp, designed this amazing piece. He is an artist from Cornwall.
The sculpture was built around the corner of an old Victorian factory. This factory used to make hats. The Big Horn is made from welded steel and galvanised metal pipes. It stands 10 meters (33 feet) tall and is 15 meters (49 feet) long.
Why the Big Horn Was Built
The Big Horn was created to be a special "gateway" sculpture. It was meant to show the growth and new life of Manchester's Northern Quarter. The project received money from several groups. These included the Arts Council (through the National Lottery), Manchester City Council, and the Northern Quarter Association.
David Kemp often uses scrap metal in his art. The Big Horn is a great example of his unique style. It's even part of his series of sculptures called "Unsound Instruments."
When the Big Horn Was Installed
The idea for the sculpture started in 1996. It was finally finished and installed in 1999. It took 10 days to put the huge sculpture in place. A special party was held on June 10, 1999, to welcome it. They even had a new piece of music played just for the event!
The Big Horn quickly became a famous landmark. It was one of two sculptures on Tib Street. The other was called Toy Boy, a bright neon light tower.
The part of the old factory wall that held the Big Horn was kept. The rest of the building was taken down. The empty space was then used as a car park for a while.
The artist, David Kemp, described his artwork in a cool way. He said it might be a "listening device." He imagined it filtering sounds from the street. He thought it showed where the past meets the future. Many people agree it's one of the most famous modern artworks in Manchester.
Moving the Big Horn Sculpture
In 2017, plans were made to build new apartments on the site. These plans included shops and rooftop gardens. Because of this new development, the Big Horn needed to move.
The artist, David Kemp, did not want the sculpture back. So, it was given to Manchester City Council. The Big Horn was carefully removed and put into storage. The old building remains that supported it were then taken down.
After some time, it was announced where the Big Horn would go next. It was moved to the Tib Street entrance of Afflecks Palace. Now, even more people can see and enjoy this amazing sculpture!
