Hang On A Minute Lads, I’ve Got A Great Idea…

 

This weekend at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, East Sussex, saw the launch of their new installation by artist Richard Wilson. The piece is inspired by the iconic 1969 film The Italian Job which is notorious for its closing scene where a bus is balanced on the edge of a cliff and Michael Caine utters the memorable words “Hang on a minute lads, I’ve got a great idea…”. Its this very scene and line that have inspired Wilson to put a full scale replica bus on the edge of the Pavilion’s roof.

This mammoth structure is recreated using fiberglass and plywood and held in place by several tonnes of steel, so don’t worry, it wont fall on you. The whole piece is staggeringly brilliant to view. At first glance you will likely think that it is in fact real and could fall at any moment. Once you realize it wont, you can view the piece from the roof terrace or from the ground below but wherever you view it, it’s simplicity is brilliant and it is such a fun installation. Something i love about the piece is that its not trying to be something, its just a bus on a roof inspired by a film. Its not trying to portray anything else, it simply is what it is. If you find yourself on the south coast at any time this is definitely worth a viewing. There are lots of little extras too, small scale models, drawings and lots of other information. The pieces principle sponsor is comedian Eddie Izzard and is free to view. The Pavilion also has events coinciding with the install, all themed around The Italian Job, throughout the summer including a mini meet on the 19th of August and an outside screening of the original film on the 25th of August.

There are two other exhibits on at the Pavilion as well. The strange exhibition by Sean Dower entitled The Voyeur which has performances to accompany it and Everything Flows. An exhibition from the Film and Video Umbrella about the art of getting in the zone whilst playing sport. This includes sports such as basketball, hockey and gymnastics and is a good view for any sports enthusiast.

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