Monday 15 February 2016

‘Art’ Is In The Eye Of The Beholder, Isn’t It?

Bike racks outside a tube station are now “public art” according to the council. People have claimed it was difficult to lock more than one of two bikes securely to the metal objects, which were constructed outside Turnpike Lane station.
Now, Haringey Council have said that they were always intended as an artwork, rather than being badly installed – but that people are welcome to lock their bicycles to them.
You really couldn’t make it up, could you?
In response to a constituent’s question, the council said: “The recycled bike racks have now been installed not to be used as cycle stands. The works have been implemented to the agreed design as a piece of public art.
“If cyclists wish to lock their cycles to them it is at their discretion.” The response was posted on twitter and has been derided by some members of the public.
Only some..?

5 comments:

James Higham said...

The beauty of bike racks and caravans.

Anonymous said...

So because they are "art" I guess they cost a lot more than secondhand bike racks! Can't one chain the fuckwits who thought of this to them to turn them into an interactive experience with rotten eggs supplied?

Weekend Yachtsman said...

Brilliant!

So if I make something that doesn't work, I can avoid the Sale of Goods act (and all the rest of that tiresome stuff about liability etc etc) simply by saying it was actually a work of art, more fool you for buying it under a misapprehension?

I'm amazed that some car dealers or white van men didn't come up with this first, to be honest.

Trevor said...

I'm amazed that some car dealers or white van men didn't come up with this first ...

That's because even the dodgier geezers have about a gazillion times more integrity than the average Common Purpose parasite infesting local government.

JuliaM said...

"The beauty of bike racks and caravans."

:D

"So because they are "art" I guess they cost a lot more than secondhand bike racks! "

About five times as much, I suspect!

"I'm amazed that some car dealers or white van men didn't come up with this first, to be honest."

Heh! Me too :)

"That's because even the dodgier geezers have about a gazillion times more integrity than the average Common Purpose parasite infesting local government."

Good point! I know who I'd rather deal with.