Iron:Man facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iron:Man |
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Iron:Man, originally displayed in Victoria Square, Birmingham.
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| Artist | Antony Gormley |
| Year | 1993 |
| Dimensions | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Weight | 6 metric tons |
| Location | Victoria Square, Birmingham |
| 52°28′46″N 1°54′10″W / 52.4794°N 1.9028°W | |
Iron:Man is a huge statue located in Victoria Square, Birmingham, England. It was created by a famous artist named Antony Gormley. This impressive statue stands 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall. That's like two average-sized cars stacked on top of each other! It also weighs 6 metric tons, which is as heavy as an elephant. The statue has a unique lean, tilting slightly backwards and to its left.
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Discover the Iron:Man Statue
This amazing sculpture was made to celebrate the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country. These areas were very important during the Industrial Revolution. This was a time when many factories and industries grew, changing how people lived and worked.
How Iron:Man Was Made
The Iron:Man statue was cast, or molded, at a place called Bradley and Fosters Castings in Willenhall. It was put up in 1993. The statue was a special gift to the City of Birmingham from the Trustee Savings Bank. It was placed right outside their main office building.
From Untitled to Iron:Man
When it was first put up, the statue didn't have a name. It was simply called Untitled. But people in Birmingham quickly started calling it Iron Man. The artist, Antony Gormley, liked this nickname. He then asked for the official name to be changed to Iron:Man, which it is still called today.
Early Worries About the Statue
When Iron:Man first appeared, some people were worried. They thought the statue was rusting! However, Antony Gormley explained that the type of iron used is special. It's designed to oxidize, which means it forms a protective layer on its surface. This layer actually stops the metal from rusting away.
There were also rumors that when Diana, Princess of Wales, visited Victoria Square in 1994, the statue was hidden from her view. Later, when the bank that gifted the statue moved its main office to Bristol, some people in Birmingham thought the statue should move too. But since it was a gift to the city, it stayed right where it was.
Where to See a Mini Iron:Man
Did you know there's a smaller version of the Iron:Man statue? This smaller model is called a maquette. It used to be at the Public Art Commissions Agency in the Jewellery Quarter. Now, you can find this maquette at the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre in Nechells. It's a great way to see a detailed version of the statue up close!
Iron:Man on the Move
On September 5, 2017, the Iron:Man statue was carefully moved into storage. This was done to make way for new tram tracks. These tracks are part of the West Midlands Metro extension, which will connect to Centenary Square. The statue will likely return to a prominent spot once the construction is complete.
