Nottingham Contemporary's art trams
ANYONE commuting through Nottingham yesterday might have noticed something out of the ordinary – as two life-sized zebras boarded a tram.
Nottingham Contemporary's "living logos", zebras Zig and Zag, took a ride on the newly-wrapped art tram, which is adorned by six of the 15 new logos commissioned by the gallery.
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Nottingham Contemporary has created what is believed to be the first "art tram" in the country by displaying six of its 15 logos on one of the city's trams. Zebras Zig and Zag were brought to life from one of the designs, by Berlin-based Klaus Weber.
Each logo was designed by a different artist and they will be used in rotation for different aspects of Nottingham Contemporary's press, publicity and marketing.
One of the designs is by Berlin-based artist Klaus Weber's, whose logo features two kicking zebras, which inspired the characters of Zig and Zag.
The zany zebras have already been spotted cantering around the city over the summer – making friends at various events and places including Nottingham Riviera and Wollaton Hall as well as meeting the public in the city centre.
The real-life Zig and Zag are a light-hearted representation of the logo, but artist Klaus Weber's original inspiration was a little more abstract.
He said: "Zebras are beautiful animals. The zebra is related to art expressly because it has a pattern. The logo is really intense. It represents artistic attitude.
"I wanted it to be something that represented the best an art institution can represent in terms of its spirit and attitude."
As well as the zebras, the tram features a staring eye, a figure with no head, a figure in oversized glasses and a figure rolling with the world.
Gallery director Alex Farquharson explained the decision to use fifteen logos, rather than just one: "The start of our mission statement is that "contemporary artists offer extraordinary perspectives on contemporary society" and our logos are a way of reflecting this."
The tram also features a logo from local artist S Mark Gubb. His 50s-style retro design is also being made into an 8-metre-high sign that will point to the cafe bar at the gallery and will be lit in neon colours at night. S Mark Gubb said the feel of his logo fits well with what the gallery is about.
He said: "It's been inspired by a form of architecture called Googie, which came to prominence in the 50s after the Second World War. It's incredibly aspirational architecture, using angular lines and fins.
"The logo is rooted in forward thinking, aspirational, ground breaking architecture and that seems to relate quite nicely to what Nottingham Contemporary is."
The logos will feature in the gallery's launch weekend on November 14 and 15 when young actors from the TV Workshop will demonstrate performance art based on the logo designs.
Lucy Skaer, another of the logo artists, has been shortlisted for the Turner Prize.
7 Comments
by Quince, Bulwell
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 11:32PM
“Again, it seems to be all about money with you. If they're not making money from it, they're giving their mates jobs! What about the motivation to enrich Nottingham with a place that people can go and enjoy?”
by HANG SCUM, NOTTS
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 8:33PM
“WHAT A LOAD OF TRASH SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE STREETS CAUSING HAVOC FOR MOTORISTS, JUST TO TRANSPORT SCUM INTO NOTTS”
by mr, the real world
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 6:12PM
“Quince, Bulwell - if you actually looked at the sponsers of the new arts galley, then all you will see is govenment funded / tax payer funded organisations, there is no private money inversted in this new gallery, so as I said before, like all of these so called not for profit / lottery funded / council backed organisations, you have to question there motivation, is it value for money, or is it jobs for the boys and girls?, what a waste of money,”
by Quince, Bulwell
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 4:21PM
“Mr - "the real world" is what you make it - it's sad if you think the real world is just about money. Like Tom said, a new gallery will be a huge asset to Nottingham. Of course, some of the exhibits will be pretentious rubbish, but that's all part of the fun. Occasionally you'll see something that really strikes a chord. Either way, it's great to go somewhere that provokes thought.”
by Steve, Mapperley
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 12:34PM
“Dressing up as a zebra must be quite good fun for the Contemporary Arts graduates inside the costumes. Makes a nice change from working in a call centre anyway.”
by Tom, Lenton
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 11:10AM
“The opening of the new gallery can only be good news for Nottingham. It will greatly enhance the cultural landscape of the city and draw visitors in from far and wide. The city should be proud of it's cultural institutions and residents should definitely take advantage of the free entry. I know that I will!”
by mr, the real world
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 7:54AM
“what an absolute waste of money”