Wirral Arts: Festive art installation using marine items to brighten up empty shop space

Nov 28 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News

A FESTIVE art installation using recycled marine items is under way to brighten up empty shop space in Wirral.

Broken flippers, paddles, buoys and anything plastic will be used to create a seascape with a Christmas theme to an empty unit situated at Marine Point, New Brighton.

The art exhibition was the brainchild of local writer Carl Leckey.

This led to the Momentary Arts Project (Map) being formed with a dozen committee members from around the area.

Carl said: “I came up with the idea and approached the developers, Neptune, who then said ‘yes’.

“I don't have a clue what the artists will create, but it will be something flippin’ fabulous. I just can't wait.”

The installation will be on view from December 14 until the end of the year.

So far a wave of unwanted items have been donated to the project, including an old boat and oars.

However the group are keen to collect lots of flippers. With the slogan ‘Flip your fins in our bins’, they have set up drop-off points around Wirral.

Artist and member Alison Bailey Smith added: “We will use flippers and fins of all shapes and sizes, along with buoys and other small colourful lightweight marine items to give the Christmas installation a seaside feel.

“We are drawing on all resources relating to the sea, and the installation will be situated in the heart of the cafes and cinema complex at Marine Point.

“I have asked 30 artists mainly from Wirral to get involved so I am hoping for a good response.

“Mosslands School is involved too and pupils will be making fish from plastic bottles. Some artists are fusing plastic bags together to make it look like material.

“The plan is to create waves from lots of flippers as well as a Christmas tree with baubles using buoys.

“The installation will be in the full length of the window of the 5,000sqft unit, so it will be huge and look quite dramatic. It has cost us nothing to do this and Neptune have been very supportive.

“We hope to eventually become a community interest company to keep future projects going.”

Items can be flipped in to the ‘Fin Bins’ at Clatterbridge, Bidston and West Kirby recycling plants and The Green Community Shop and Centre in Oxton until December 9.