Game of Thrones’ star and famous comedians get Broadgate’s statues talking

Game of Thrones’ star and famous comedians get Broadgate’s statues talking

From today, Tuesday 19 August, famous sculptures at Broadgate will start telling their stories as part of Talking Statues. Passers-by will be able to tap, type or swipe their smart-phones over signage next to sculptures including The Broad Family, Eye-I and at a later date Rush Hour and the Leaping Hare to receive a “call back” from stars including Frank Skinner, Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) and Sarah Pascoe (Never Mind the Buzzcocks), who will tell the tale of the piece. Budding writers can also take part in a competition to tell the story of the Leaping Hare on Crescent and Bell, located near the Broadgate Circle.

Arts organisation Sing London, are the producers of Talking Statues and aim to animate a total of 35 statues across London and Manchester over the next year.

Samantha Rush, Head of Marketing, Communications and Events at Broadgate, said “Talking Statues is a fantastic initiative that supports our belief that art should be accessible to all. Broadgate houses an impressive art collection and we’re keen to see it brought to life through this initiative, encouraging people who live and work in the area to stop and take a closer look.”

Broadgate’s Talking Statues:

Leaping Hare on Crescent and Bell
Barry Flanagan’s gravity defying hare awaits the gift of speech. Win the chance to draft the monologue for this sculpture by entering the public writing competition. The winning piece will be recorded by a celebrity and included as part of Talking Statues London. For more information on the sculpture visit www.broadgate.co.uk/art/LeapingHare and to enter the competition, go to www.talkingstatues.co.uk. Competition closes on 17 October.

Rush Hour
To be written and animated by comedian Frank Skinner, Rush Hour will be a late talker. Created by George Segal, the piece is composed of six bronze figures braving the London weather in their raincoats.

The Broad Family
Xavier Corberó is the artist behind this impressive family. The daughter is animated by Maisie Williams, star of the TV series Game of Thrones and the monologue is written by award winning novelist Lucy Caldwell.

Eye-I
Almost graphic in design, this towering sculpture by British contemporary artist, Bruce McLean, is made from brightly coloured strips of steel in an abstract sketch of a face. It has been wittily brought to life by comedian Sarah Pascoe.

“Most of us hardly notice the statues around us. Talking Statues aims to change this,” says Colette Hiller, Creative Director of Sing London. “They may be cast in stone but their voices have been set free.”

The technology behind Talking Statues has been developed by Antenna Lab – part of Antenna International, leading cultural technologists and creators of museum guides.

From September to November Broadgate will be hosting a range of art and culture events, encouraging people to look at Broadgate and the City from a different perspective. For more information on Broadgate’s art and where to find its ‘Talking Statues’ visit website.