How can it be the Angel of the South?

[Ponders]

It's not an angel, it's a fecking horse!

Dear oh dear, how many time have you people got to be told! London and the SE is the centre of the universe!

I'm absolutely positive it will be a stunning addition to the already beautiful landscape...........

.....of Margate!

it should be a pony really, we owe a lot to ponies

Blimey. It is a bit ultra-realistic except really, really big, isn't it?

It's as if this artist heard about Gormley's Angel and wanted to copy it, but was under the impression it was just a scaled up version of the plastic tat you can buy at Lourdes and such places, if you are into kitsch or are just sadly misguided.

If they bring out a suitably-sized Barbie to go with it, her knockers will cast such a shadow Kent will be thrown into a new Ice-Age.

(And Mitchy's right, ponies are the native species.)

I think the reference to Angel of the South was merely that, when it was in conception, it was likened to the Angel of the North, as in this would be the south's equivalent to the Angel of the North. I don't think it's actually called AofS, but the media have got hold of that particular handle and it's likely to stick.

I love the idea, I can't wait to see it.

It's not public / taxpayers money being spent, it's being funded by private business.

So much better than the hundreds of abstract modern horrors up and down the country.

Bring on the horsey.

Riven I know your life is hard but why do you leap to turn most discussions to your struggles with a disabled child?

Often it is not relevant.

I agree this is a waste of money but it is mainly funded by private companies because of the eurostar link. So it's got nothing to do with nhs budgets.

I like it and I bet if it is given planing permission and built, in 3 yrs time it will be as loved as the Angel of the North which was thoroughly slagged off by all and sundry. Mark Wallinger is an interesting artist - go and look him up. It's great that business' are brave enough to fund such a project rather than paying themselves huge bonuses.

surely a scottish conspiracy is ahoof.

It will generate some money too - the B in the Bang was very good news for the engineering firm that made the steel tubing and put it up.

I don't like the horse because it is meant to represent freedom (ie free to travel to Europe etc) and it's wearing a headcollar.

Also, as I'm fairly certain none of you have seen an angel, how do you know what one actually looks like? Just as likely to look like a horse as a giant being with feathery wings.

Real angels are intangible -- that would be cheaper.

(And you'd get more on a pinhead.)

I can't quite put my finger on what it is that I don't like about the horse. I think that maybe it is the fact that it is too realistic. A more abstract, metal sculpture of a horse, in a similar style to the Angel of the North would look better IMO.

think it looks good. Will be interesting to see how it tranfers into the landscape. and it shoudl givea good boost to the industries invovlved in constructing it too.

Not sure what planet the media are on tho with their 'Angel of the South' What a stupid analogy.

I like it

As long as it doesn't come from the public purse, I'm all for it.

Does it have a weirdy magnetic hoof like the My Little Ponies, would be good for science experiments.

Looks fab apart from the fecking great pylons behind it which totally ruin the effect.

There's a wonderful metal slightly abstract horsey on the M8 not far from Glasgow. I love it - and I also love the big horn and scary church on the same motorway. The angel of the north is simply wonderful. It makes me smile every time I see it.

People generally have great fondness for large landmarks, even ugly ones. Look at Battersea Power Station, it's an icon now isn't it?

The only thing that puts me off the white horsey is that imo it is just too big, and that it is a bit unfair on those who live very near it. Personally, I find that looking up at bewilderingly large things makes me go a bit funny, a bit like vertigo. I love the thrill of it, but I wouldn't want to live next to/ under it.

it looks like a Sindy horse

now, this is more like it Dame Elizabeth Frink

I'm a southerner and love the Angel of the North. My DH is a northerner and hates it. I'll ask him what he thinks of this monstrosity amazing piece of artwork.

TheDevilWearsPrimark - that was a bit unecessary wasn't it? Riven was just making a point.

Actually, I think money spent on public art is generally a good thing ( although saving those Titians - well, there's thousands of paintings in bank vaults all over London...)

As you said, the angel of the south is privately funded anyway.

ClaudiaSchiffer I agree, good post. Although i'm not mad about The Angel of the North....i think it's unbalanced, the wings are too wide and it displeases me aesthetically....