Liverpool’s first-ever ‘mountain’ will be arriving in the city later this year.
A 10-metre tall sculpture set to be unveiled in the autumn is part of a joint project between Tate Liverpool and Liverpool Biennial with internationally acclaimed artist Ugo Ronidini.
The artwork celebrates Liverpool City Region’s commitment to supporting bold, contemporary art and its status as a world renowned cultural destination.
Part of the Liverpool 2018 programme, the project marks the 10th anniversary of Liverpool European Capital of Culture, the 20th anniversary of Liverpool Biennial and the 30th anniversary of Tate Liverpool.
Ugo Rondinone is famous for creating large scale public art sculptures. His work for Liverpool is part of the artist’s mountain series and will be similar to the technicolour towers he has created in Miami and Las Vegas which are designed to elevate their surroundings.
Liverpool Mountain will be Rondinone’s first public artwork in the UK and the first of its kind in Europe. Rising ten metres, the sculptures consist of rocks stacked vertically, with each stone painted a different fluorescent colour.
The sculpture will transform the Mermaid Courtyard area, next to Tate Liverpool at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, a previously under-used space on the World Heritage site.
Rondinone’s Liverpool Mountain is one of a number of events forming part of the Liverpool 2018 programme, which is supported by £5 million from the Combined Authority.
Sally Tallant, director at Liverpool Biennial, said: “Following in Liverpool’s great tradition of sculpture in public spaces, I am delighted that Ugo Rondinone, an internationally acclaimed artist, has accepted this major new project.
“It is a sign of the confidence and creativity of Liverpool as a world city, which is of course home to Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s biggest celebration of contemporary art.”
Sue Grindrod, chief executive of Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, added: “Ugo Rondinone’s work is striking, it is certain to stimulate the debate about the part that public art plays in the cultural landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront.
“I am so delighted that the Dock is able to be the guardian of this work as we head toward a year of celebration in 2021.”