‘It looks like a CORNETTO,’ cry neighbours of massive 30ft-high ‘Olympic torch’ sculpture put up in housing estate

LOCALS in a housing estate have described its new 30ft high “Olympic torch” sculpture as looking like a giant “Cornetto”.

The 30ft high sliver metal torch in Andover, Hants, is part of a £69,000 art project in the recent development.

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But instead of the torch being labelled a “symbol of hope”, it has caused outrage among locals who branded it a “monstrosity” which will end up “filled with junk”.

Residents have even called it an “enormous basketball hoop” while the local council said it is “designed to encourage people to explore and engage with their natural surroundings”.

The sculpture – by artist Tim Ward – is in the Urban Park of the town’s recent Picket Twenty development, built by Persimmon Homes.

Residents say the Olympic theme has no “connection to anything” and the “upside down ice cream cone” is nothing but an “eyesore” and a “waste of money” which could have been better spent elsewhere.

Trisha Williams, 39, has lived in Picket Twenty for seven years and the sculpture looked like a dessert.

She said: “It just looks like an upside down ice cream cone that’s a monstrosity in the middle of a field.

“It doesn’t show anything to do with Picket Twenty, it’s not associated with anything, it’s just a random piece of metal.”

She said the money would have been better spent on the roads: “I don’t know if you have seen the state of the roads in Andover – it’s awful.”

The mother posted to Facebook saying: “So Persimmons can fund and erect this ridiculous monstrosity but yet I’ve been on at them directly for months regarding the road conditions… flooding, bricks rising and sinking and paving edging stone coming out of place! What a joke!”

Other locals also took to the comment section to share their opinions on the ‘symbol of hope’ sculpture.

Phil Marsden wrote “Just one Cornetto!” whilst Jay Lind said “This offends me take it down”.

Another resident, Michael Ford, wrote: “Wonder how many times a kid will attempt to climb it potentially injuring themselves if fall.

“Maybe they could of funded the community in better ways than pointless objects art.”

Paul Watson added: “The cone will be filled with junk as it becomes a challenge like an enormous basketball hoop and re-painted with lots of new graffiti art. I give it 5 years before it has to be removed. It does look cool tho.”

When planning permission was applied for, designers said: “The ‘Torch’ sculpture represents a symbol of hope that guides, like a signal fire of old on a hill, of flaming tower or pole, people to the Urban Park.

“The idea for the Olympic torch was derived from ancient Greece, where a sacred fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics on the altar of the sanctuary of Hestia.

It just looks like an upside down ice cream cone that’s a monstrosity in the middle of a field

Trisha Williams

“In Ancient Greek mythology, fire had divine connotations – it was thought to have been stolen from the gods by Prometheus.!

Construction of Picket Twenty, formerly a hamlet, began in 2010 and the suburb consists of 1,200 homes.

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), based in Andover, took to Facebook to introduce the artwork located on the sports pitches of a “new neighbourhood” within the town.

Writing on Facebook, the council said: “We’ve been introducing you to the new artwork at Picket 20.

“They’ve all been funded from Section 106 developer contributions from Persimmon Homes for public art on the development.

“The Torch is currently being finalised on the Urban Park. This impressive 9.5m tall landmark sculpture represents a symbol of hope to guide people to this well-used space.”

Local councillor, Luigi Gregori, said this type of artwork is often subjected to criticism, but said he believes plaques explaining their purpose would improve the projects.

He said: “Public art is very subjective and will often be subject to criticism.

Wonder how many times a kid will attempt to climb it potentially injuring themselves if fall

Michael Ford

“Most of this criticism comes from a lack of communication of what the art installations are about.

“There is no doubt that communication in the round could be better.

“I do think each art installation should have a plaque explaining what it is about, how it came about and what the intention of the artist was.

“That is what we tend to have in art galleries and exhibitions.”

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes South Coast said: “We are delighted to see the latest artworks from Tim Ward installed in Urban Park, close to the Picket Twenty community. The torch acts as a beacon for the area, bringing the new community to this shared space.

“This was funded through the Section 106 contribution to Public Art, which was part of our planning requirement for the development.

“We hope these new art works will help create some pride and a sense of ownership in the area.”

A spokesperson from Test Valley Borough Council confirmed the commission for the three artworks was £69,000.

They said: “This funding was specifically for the creation of public art on the Picket Twenty development and the council did not contribute any funds towards this work.”

“Each piece has been designed to encourage people to explore and engage with their natural surroundings.

“Tim worked with local residents at community open days, as well as with children and students at both Pilgrim’s Cross school and Winton Academy, using these sessions to develop the ideas and designs for the work.”

Two other artworks have also been installed in the park including large colourful hoops located alongside a play area and a third artwork called the Tree Column.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk