It was a typical British autumn day. Cloudy, breezy with the on and off drizzle here and there. Nothing unusual really.
Except that I was in Liverpool attending for an interview with the Home Office. It was a special day. Not only was it 11th of November 2011, but it was the day when I was supposed to get my Permanent Residence visa. I was told a few days before by a colleague that 11.11.11 was supposed to be a lucky day. However, another colleague of mine said otherwise. I chose to believe the earlier.
The special day clearly didn’t fully materialised. My application got rejected because of some missing info from my HR’s letter. Despite that, I was lucky not to lose my £1400 premium I’ve paid, since there were also a technical error on their side. Feeling dejected, I’ve decided to skip on visiting Liverpool’s marvellous array of cultural attractions preferring to go to another place. I’ve then made my way to the wonderfully serene Crosby Beach just on the outskirts of Liverpool.
I was first introduced to Crosby Beach by my flatmate, Chuck. It was roughly 4 years ago when I first made my pilgrimage to be mesmerised by the sea of cast iron figures scattering along 3 kilometres of sandy beach. I was truly captivated. Inspired by the simplicity and genius of its creator – Antony Gormley.
I needed time and space for myself to rejuvenate. Away from the hustle and bustle from one metropolis to another. Somewhere that is different, and in a peculiar way more peaceful than I’m used to. I needed to breathe. Inspired and be marvelled. What better way to do this than visiting Crosby Beach to admire great public artwork in a cold but amicable place. The modern installation was aptly named Another Place.
There are 100 of this sculpted figures. Each figure crafted to be conceptually the same. All standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall, the height of the artist himself. Like real people visiting the beach, the sculpture faces to the sea. Gazing, wondering at the endless sea.
Some are closer to land. Whilst others go deeper into the sea. Some standing at its full height, while others half-buried by the sand and sea, working against time and tide. Another Place is truly a magical place to be. Just what I needed. At the right place and the right time.
6 comments
Hasan says:
Dec 20, 2011
minat juga dgn antony’s sculpture. design nya best2. sempat ke situ dalam 2 tahun lepas dlm perjalan pulang dari london buat visa anak. yang letih nya berjalan membawa infant car seat sampai ke pantai. jauh tu. tapi semangat nak tgk art ni punya pasal, redah juga la. selain saya juga suka mencari attraction yg lain sikit..
Amer says:
Dec 21, 2011
Sebenarnya saya tak tahu kewujudan sculpture ni until di’introduce’ oleh a friend of mine. Pastu terus tertarik. Apa-apapon memang berbaloi melawat tempat macam ini. Memang takde dekat lain sculpture se’magnificent’ yang ini!
Turkey's For Life says:
Dec 22, 2011
We were so pleased when these statues were allowed to stay on the beach permanently. It’s great for Crosby. You described the British autumn weather perfectly!;) Hope you get your permanent residency soon. We’ve just got 12 months residency in Turkey.
Julia
Amer says:
Dec 22, 2011
Hi Julia, I’m glad that it stayed in Crosby too. It would be unfortunate if the statues were moved to a different city. By the way, I’ve already received my PR a week after I visited Crosby. So that’s done and dusted! Thanks for asking and visiting this blog!
Sarah Somewhere says:
Dec 27, 2011
Beautiful Photos. I’m glad you got your residency, red tape can be a bitch (especially in the UK!). I lived in London for 3 1/2 years, it is a great city in its own right, and a great base for traveling.
Amer says:
Dec 27, 2011
Thanks Sarah! Yes, London is an amazing place to live. Personally I think that there’s no better base to travel than London!