Posted on 07/10/2014 12:34:51 PM PDT by Rebelbase
Plans by a Turner Prize-nominated artist to drop a piano off an iconic east London tower block have been thwarted by residents, who were concerned over the “danger and utter stupidity” of the stunt.
Catherine Yass had been scheduled to hurl the instrument off the top of the 26-storey Balfron Tower in Poplar – but a petition signed by 254 locals forced organisers to change their tune.
Retired nurse Jean Brown, 66, of nearby Burcham Street, was concerned about the “danger and utter stupidity”, and amazed the idea had even been suggested.
“People seem to have finally come to their senses,” she said. “The idea shouldn’t have even been thought up in the first place.
“To have it discussed by the board was ludicrous.
“Harca employs anti-social behaviour officers and if chucking a piano off the Balfron Tower isn’t anti-social behaviour, I don’t know what is.”
The local housing association which manages the Grade II-listed housing block said no date had been set, insisting it would have taken place “some time over the summer”.
But a statement from the Alison Jacques Gallery, where Ms Yass exhibits work, suggested the event had been booked at the St Leonard’s Road tower for Tuesday.
The plan was to drop the piano “as part of a community workshop looking at how sound travels”.
Andrea Baker, director at the housing association, Harca, said: “I met with our residents on Friday and received the petition.
“We’ve listened to their concerns and, as a result, the project will not be going ahead.”
Ms Yass’ works include the well-known 2000 Tate Britain Christmas tree.
The artist declined to comment save to confirm the event had been cancelled “at the residents’ request”.
Why is anyone surprised? The Turner Prize is usually awarded to pretentious codswallop. I'd imagine that "utter stupidity"—cartoonish, to boot&mdah;fits right in with the arts intelligentsia.
lolol
Eddie Valiant agrees.
Are we getting to the point where if a ‘prestigious’ “artist” says that a 100 people should jump off of a cliff, ...
Now if I could choose the other 99, I’d be willing to be the last one to sacrifice myself for ‘art’.
“I have a little list, they’ll never be missed!”
I have utter disdain for shock “artists.” There is nothing artsy about throwing a piano off a building and breaking things. If it were, rednecks would be put on a pedestal like Da Vinci.
As for cool factor... I’d love to push a piano off a building. But I’ll have to settle for liveleak videos.
This is just like when code enforcement told me I couldn’t build a working trebuchet in my front yard.
I didn’t have too many plans to actually utilize it.
and utter stupidity” of the stunt.
When reality meets “Looney Tunes”
The question I have is which is reality and which is looney tunes
The potential for hilarious collateral damage is just too great!
Didn’t know Marcel Ledbetter’s Moving Company was still in business.
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