Merseyside’s Olympic 2012 spiral artwork organisers deny planning problems

Jan 2 2012 by John Siddle, Liverpool Echo

BOSSES behind the launch of a £500,000 artwork marking the countdown to the 2012 Olympics today insisted the project had not been delayed by planning problems.

Anthony McCall’s spiralling column of mist and light at Wirral Waters – expected to be visible for up to 100km – was initially set to be launched on New Year’s Eve, as a focal point for the North West’s Olympic involvement.

It was to be the first in a series of 12 commissioned art works, known as the Cultural Olympiad, in the regions of Britain.

But a planning application for the corkscrew column was only put before Wirral council in late October, and has not yet been recommended for approval by officers.

The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad last night said that the New Year launch had been discussed internally, but dismissed “some time ago”.

Spokesman Erica Bolton said no fresh date had been fixed, although the ECHO understands March is now the most likely option.

She denied claims reported in the national press that the artwork was delayed because the planning application was submitted too late.

Mrs Bolton said: “We have never actually announced a launch date for this project.

“To say it has been delayed because of a planning problem is not right.

“It needs to have the time it needs to go through all the various processes before we can set a date.” New York artist McCall’s column of light, generated by a machine under the water at the disused Birkenhead docks, will appear as a white line against blue skies, or a dark line against overcast skies.