Tom’s Blog

My post about Bath’s Pigs left me with one question where does this all come from? I have come across 3 similar projects in the UK in the last 3 months: the elephants in Norwich, the Superlambananas in Liverpool and the Pigs in Bath. So where does this craze of painting animals come from?  According to my research this started in Zurich in 1986. Lions, animal symbol of the town of Zurich, were painted and then put on display round the city.

In 1998 the idea was re-used this time painting cows by famous artists. Contrary to general believe it was called “Land in Sicht” and not Cow parade. This concept was picked up by an American company and imported to Chicago, they decided to name it the Cow parade. This was hugely successful and the cows have been all around the world. (London 2002, Paris 2006, Sydney 2006…) I believe you must have to pay royalties to use the cow parade concept and it’s probably why we now have pigs, elephants and other animals painted and displayed. Funny isn’t it?

Is edge hill ducks parade next? Go Ducks 2009 would be an  interesting idea and get the uni noticed in the Media. 100 ducks to be decorated by students, partner school etc… Who’s up to run the project? If it goes ahead please send me my duck to the usual address!

Below a selection of the different parade, click on the name to access website.

CowParade

Wuppertal, “Pinguinale” (200 penguins), 2006

Kaiserslautern, “Fishing for Fantasy” (250 fishes), 2001

Berlin, “Buddy Bears in the city, 2002

Austin, Texas, “GuitarTown” (2007)

Munich, “Löwenparade” (500 lions), 2004

Sparrow by Ralf Milde, in Ulm

Tel Aviv, “A Gateway to the World”, 2007

To find out more, here are my sources:

A fan of the cowparade blog

http://www.kingbladudspigs.org/inspiration.html

http://www.mattersofart.com/lead51.html

The go-superlambana is officially over, they have been auctioned and are going to go to their new owners. I shall miss them on my walk to the station or when walking around! But is it really over or are they hiding in a secret place plotting to invade the city again?

According to one well informed source I have been able to locate the HQ of the superlambanas. (Thanks Martin) My informer send me an email with the exact location along with some pictures.

So where are they?

My source tells me:  ”In the Liverpool Innovation Park in Edge Lane there is a long, covered walkway across the site from front to back, with 5 “House” buildings . On the right hand side of this walkway is a large ground floor office suite with no curtains, blinds or shutters and the Superlambananas are all lined up in there (as you can see from the pics).”

Intriguing, isn’t it?

I know I am completely obsess by the Superlambananas. I think they really are one of the highlight of the European Capital of Culture. On Tuesday 9th Septembre 70 of them will be auctionned for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal at this special charity auction. You will still have the chance to see around 70 of them all together at St George’s plateau on September 8-9.

Tickets are £40 ! So not one for me unfortunately…

Superlambananas Salute Liverpool – Preview
St George’s Plateau, outside St George’s Hall

View all of the seventy superlambananas.

Opening times:
Monday 8 September 10am-8pm
Tuesday 9 September 9am-8pm
Charity Auction

Tuesday 9 September

6.30-7.15pm
Pre Auction welcome drinks and canapés

7.15-10.30pm
Auction

For more info go to this website.

They are still here!!!  Or at least the one on hope street!

First they got the little Superlambanana kidnapped, now someone has stolen their hats..  These 4 Superlambananas must be the unluckiest of the lot.

Everyday I walk down hope street and back in June I witnessed the disappearance or lamb napping of the smallest Superlambanana in towns. To my knowledge it’s still hasn’t been return..

May I suggest someone remove the bit of hat still on top of their heads? They are already sad enough no need to make them look stupid as well.

That’s it. It’s over, the Superlambananas are leaving us. Soon most of the Superlambananas will be auctioned and the profit will go to Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

No time to be sad and let looks back at all of the articles and blogs published on the matter.

A comprehensive coverage of superlamabanas project since Nov 2007

A blog entry about the Superlambananas facts and other similar projects

A great website with a Gallery of all the superlambananas!

The official website: www.gosuperlambananas.co.uk

For a speedy video walk around the city:

The one and only blog about the exciting life of Maximus Eximus

Google map : http://slb.hotspot-directory.com/results.php

As a final tribute here are the 120 superlamabananas that have made Liverpool special for a couple of months. (pictures courtesy of gosuperlambananas website)