London Noses facts for kids
The London Noses are a cool art project you can find on buildings in London. They are plaster copies of an artist's nose, sticking out from walls in surprising places! Artist Rick Buckley made them in 1997. At first, there were about 35 noses on buildings like the National Gallery and Tate Britain. But by 2011, only about 10 were left.
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What Are the London Noses?
The London Noses are a type of art called installation art. This means the art is placed in a specific spot to create a certain feeling or message. These noses are made from plaster of Paris, which is a material often used for sculptures. They are placed in unexpected spots, making people wonder why they are there.
Why Were They Created?
The artist, Rick Buckley, made these noses because he was not happy about the many CCTV cameras being put up all over London. CCTV cameras watch people in public places. Buckley was inspired by a group called the Situationists. This group liked to do playful "pranks" or unexpected actions in public spaces to make people think.
So, Buckley decided to put his noses "under the noses" of these cameras. It was a quiet protest, a way to make a point without shouting. He didn't tell anyone he was doing it.
The Mysterious Urban Legends
Because the artist didn't publicize his project, people started making up stories to explain the noses. These stories are called urban myths. They are like modern-day folk tales that spread by word of mouth.
One popular story was about the nose inside Admiralty Arch. People said it was made to make fun of a famous leader named Napoleon. The story claimed that soldiers on horseback from nearby Horse Guards Parade would even touch the nose for good luck as they rode through the arch!
Another famous myth was about the Seven Noses of Soho. This story said that if you found all seven noses, you would have great fortune. This made finding the noses a fun treasure hunt for many people.
Where Can You Find Them?
Today, you can still find some of the London Noses in Central London. They are said to be located in these areas:
- Admiralty Arch
- Great Windmill Street
- Meard Street
- Bateman Street
- Dean Street
- Endell Street
- D’arbly Street
Gallery
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The nose at Admiralty Arch
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The nose in Dean Street, outside Quo Vadis
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The nose formerly outside St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel
