23/06/2008 06:25:00
The tallest freestanding structure of public art in the UK was completed today, as cranes ceremoniously lifted the final piece into place.
The Nottingham University sculpture, named Aspire, towers over the university's campus and is the tallest independently-standing structure in Britain.
At 197ft (60m) high, the £800,000 structure is taller than the Statue of Liberty and is said to represent a combination of things: from Nottingham's heritage in the lace industry to the creation of bicycles and the colour of sandstone.
It also pays homage to the 60 years that have passed since the university received its Royal Charter, with each of its 60 metres representing one year.
The sculpture is three times taller than North East England's Angel of the North and beats the previous tallest piece, Manchester's B of the Bang, by 13ft (4m). It also exceeds London's Nelson's Column by 28ft (8.5m).
The BBC reports that university spokesman Jonathan Ray said: "It represents limitless ambition, the power to change your life through education.
"It also says something positive about Nottingham and it reminds people there is a lot of good stuff about the city.
"A few years ago we had a hard time but this is about the future and a really positive vision for the city."
Plans for other large public sculptures are well underway across the country, one of which shows promise to be Britain's largest sculpture, to be situated on a hilltop in Kent.
The Scotland-England border will also see its own Angel of the North created in the future, as officials aim to mark Gretna's status as the gateway between the two countries.
