Traffic Light Tree: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Traffic Light Tree.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Pierre Vivant's famous "Traffic Light tree" near Canary Wharf, London]] |
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the traffic light tree waqs created by abdel khalifa in order to make things in london more complicated |
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The '''Traffic Light tree''' was created by French [[sculptor]] Pierre Vivant (1952-) following a competition run by the [[Public Art Commissions Agency]]. It is situated on a [[roundabout]] near [[Canary Wharf]], at the junctions of Heron Quay Bank, Marsh Wall and Westferry Road. in one of [[London]]'s financial districts.<ref>[http://citynoise.org/article/4212 The Traffic Light Tree, Pierre Vivant 1998], citynoise.org, 12 June 2006, accessed 29 Sept 2009.</ref> |
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Eight metres tall and containing 75 sets of lights, each controlled by computer, Vivant described the project thus: |
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<blockquote> |
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"The sculpture imitates the natural landscape of the adjacent London Plane Trees, while the changing pattern of the lights reveals and reflects the never ending rhythm of the surrounding domestic, financial and commercial activities."<ref>[http://mindzgap.co.uk/issue3/stories/alexs_places.html London's Lesser Known], Alexander Ivanov, mindzgap.co.uk, 24 March 2009, accessed 29 Sept 2009.</ref> |
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</blockquote> |
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The Public Art Commission Agency were quick to point out that: |
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<blockquote> |
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"The arbitrary cycle of light changes is not supposed to mimic the seasonal rhythm of nature, but the restlessness of Canary Wharf."<ref>[http://blog.seattlepi.com/art/archives/148237.asp Bladerunner, continued], Regina Hackett, Seattle P-I, 8 Sept 2008, accessed 29 Sept 2009.</ref> |
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</blockquote> |
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The Traffic Light tree was installed in [[1998]] on the site of a [[plane tree]],<ref>[http://www.canarywharf.com/lifestyle/arts/artmap/popups/pierrevivant.htm Pierre Vivant], canarywharf.com, accessed 29 Sept 2009.</ref> that was choking to death as a result of pollution.<ref>[http://www.timeout.com/london/art/features/228/4.html Sculpture club], Helen Sumpter, ''Time Out London'', 10 April 2006, accessed 29 Sept 2009.</ref> It was initially hoped that the lights would be triggered to show flurries of activity on the [[London Stock Exchange]], but this proved to be too expensive to put into practice.<ref>[http://www.grand-illusions.com/articles/traffic_light_tree/ Grand Illusions: Traffic Light Tree], accessed 29 Sept 2009.</ref> |
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Although some motorists were initially confused by the traffic lights, mistaking them for real signals, the folly soon became a favourite among both tourists and locals. |
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In 2005, [[Saga Group|Saga Motor Insurance]] commissioned a survey asking British motorists about the best and worst roundabouts in the country. The Traffic Light tree was the clear favourite.<ref>[http://www.easier.com/view/News/Motoring/article-33515.html Brits vote on the best and worst roundabouts], easier.com, 20 Dec 2005, accessed 29 Sept 2009.</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{coord|51.5052|-0.027|type:landmark_region:GB-WSM|display=title}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Traffic Light Tree}} |
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[[Category:Famous street furniture]] |
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[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in England]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in London]] |
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[[Category:Visitor attractions in London]] |
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[[Category:1998 works]] |
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[[Category:Named roundabouts]] |
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Revision as of 08:40, 5 August 2010
The Traffic Light tree was created by French sculptor Pierre Vivant (1952-) following a competition run by the Public Art Commissions Agency. It is situated on a roundabout near Canary Wharf, at the junctions of Heron Quay Bank, Marsh Wall and Westferry Road. in one of London's financial districts.[1]
Eight metres tall and containing 75 sets of lights, each controlled by computer, Vivant described the project thus:
"The sculpture imitates the natural landscape of the adjacent London Plane Trees, while the changing pattern of the lights reveals and reflects the never ending rhythm of the surrounding domestic, financial and commercial activities."[2]
The Public Art Commission Agency were quick to point out that:
"The arbitrary cycle of light changes is not supposed to mimic the seasonal rhythm of nature, but the restlessness of Canary Wharf."[3]
The Traffic Light tree was installed in 1998 on the site of a plane tree,[4] that was choking to death as a result of pollution.[5] It was initially hoped that the lights would be triggered to show flurries of activity on the London Stock Exchange, but this proved to be too expensive to put into practice.[6]
Although some motorists were initially confused by the traffic lights, mistaking them for real signals, the folly soon became a favourite among both tourists and locals.
In 2005, Saga Motor Insurance commissioned a survey asking British motorists about the best and worst roundabouts in the country. The Traffic Light tree was the clear favourite.[7]
References
- ^ The Traffic Light Tree, Pierre Vivant 1998, citynoise.org, 12 June 2006, accessed 29 Sept 2009.
- ^ London's Lesser Known, Alexander Ivanov, mindzgap.co.uk, 24 March 2009, accessed 29 Sept 2009.
- ^ Bladerunner, continued, Regina Hackett, Seattle P-I, 8 Sept 2008, accessed 29 Sept 2009.
- ^ Pierre Vivant, canarywharf.com, accessed 29 Sept 2009.
- ^ Sculpture club, Helen Sumpter, Time Out London, 10 April 2006, accessed 29 Sept 2009.
- ^ Grand Illusions: Traffic Light Tree, accessed 29 Sept 2009.
- ^ Brits vote on the best and worst roundabouts, easier.com, 20 Dec 2005, accessed 29 Sept 2009.