SMM+S

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject: Dreaming Spires, Greenside Place

Dreaming Spires
Location: In front of Omni Centre, Greenside Place
OS Ref: NT 260 743
Sculptor: Helen Dennerly

A relatively recent addition to Edinburgh’s public sculpture (Since July 2005). Two life size metal giraffes, a mother and son (nicknamed Martha and Gilbert by the sculptor).

The sculptures were made from old bits of motorbikes and cars.

The words around the giraffes’ hooves are by South African poet Roy Campbell from 1946. It reads

“Giraffes! – a people
Who live between earth and skies
Each in his own religious steeple
Keeping a Lighthouse with his eyes”

I'm afraid my photographs taken on a dreich Winter's day do not do them justice. Neither does the cardboard in the background of some of the pictures!

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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:19 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately the tail of one of the giraffes was vandalised within days of them being placed at the centre. Both have now been attacked, It must take some amount of effort because it is thick metal.

They are just outside the Omni Centre, who paid for them, and are under cctv surveillance so I don’t know what the centre’s Security guards are doing when they are being vandalised?

The damage has been partially repaired and if you weren’t aware it had been damaged you would probably be unlikely to notice.

Adam
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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project