Talk:Angel of the North

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The Angel of the North aroused some controversy locally and in the British newspapers not least of all because of alleged similarities to Nazi symbols

Do we have a source for this? It's a completely new one on me (of course, I know it attracted some controversy, but I thought that was just because people thought it was an eyesore, not because they thought it bore some resemblance to "Nazi symbols"). --Camembert

The BBC has [1] describes "Nazi gigantism". A further Google search reveals not a lot more Dunc|☺ 16:13, 25 Jan 2005 (UTC)

I vaguely remember the stirred-up controversy in the press at the time. I think the angel looks somewhat like a luftwaffe memorial: http://www.davison03.freeserve.co.uk/THE%20ANGEL.htm

I can see what you mean there, but our personal opinion doesn't count for much. If somebody has a paper (or better still a dozen) which opines it is similar to "Nazi symbols", then lets quote it in the article. For now, I've taken the bit about a great controversy because of its similarities to "Nazi symbols" out until we get a source supporting it. The phrase "Nazi gigantism" seems to be a way of saying "it's big and I don't like it", whereas to say it has "similarties to Nazi symbols" suggests something rather more sinister, so I don't think that counts. --Camembert

I've added a reference to angels and fallen angels. Anecdota

Contents

[edit] Nazi or Nice

I have added a narrative on the development of the Angel based on that in the 'Making an Angel' book. Hopefully this is NPOV. I will try and find a usable picture of the Chronicle with the 'Nazi or Nice' headline.

This comment was added to the main page, People have various views on the sculpture, both negative and positive. However, I would imagine the article makes that point, anyway. Bob 18:09, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Symbolism

This section was added, but seems to be original research, so I have moved it here. Bob 19:53, 22 July 2006 (UTC)

The Angel of the North has many hidden subliminal meanings. The statue stands proud and two latin phrases spring to mind to those who love history.

CEDO NULLI - I SHALL NOT/WE SHALL NOT YIELD, this phrase symbolises the history of the region and its people. They are a strong and proud people who do not give in, they yield to no-one even when times have not been bad.

NON ANGLII, SED ANGELI - A lesser note saint, St Gregory (Pope Gregory I) stated that the people of the lands of Northumbria (previously known as Kingdom of Bernicia and Nord Angelen (by Germans), were not just a beautiful, fair coloured people but were angelic in their voice, looks and warmth.

The state of Man -- structurally the statue appears to be airplane wings attached to a man's body in place of the arms. Symbolically this appears to represent that man is unique because it is the only animal which can create its own wings when it has none, creating tools and manipulating nature to achieve it's dreams and overcoming it's shortcomings. In quite an irony the statue also shows resemblence to a crucifiction. In effect, paradoxically, a man's technology can also serve as a function of his own demise. Rugz 17:58, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Controversy?

"Angel of the North aroused some controversy locally and in the British newspapers when first erected, but has now come to be considered as a landmark for the North East of England."

Aroused some controversy? Why? What could be controversial about a giant angel? 141.155.28.92 00:53, 14 October 2006 (UTC)
I don't think the supposed "controversy" should be overstated. The controversy was not at all widespread and is typical of virtually all new developments. Newspapers make money by moaning about things, but I'd of thought though it would be extremely difficult to find a scientifically conducted poll showing anything but a very minute proportion of people objecting to the sculpture upon it's creation. Canderra 14:58, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
It was controversial for the usual reasons; no-one except a few pseuds wanted this hideous bit of expensive rubbish. Modern art is a very minority taste, shared by few outside the chattering classes It rapidly acquired the local nickname of the "Tyneside flasher", which indeed it rather more resembles. Roger Pearse 12:04, 27 August 2007 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Roger Pearse (talk • contribs)

[edit] Replica's and Imitation's

Are there any known replicas or imitations, i think i remember one being made for a rich Russian business man: is there any proof or knowledge since it would be an important section similar to one on The Hollywood Sign page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by T saston (talk • contribs) 18:40, August 28, 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Image gallery

What's the point of the image gallery in this article? The main image illustrates the article perfectly - surely these other images are just vanity - a way of people featuring their own, poorer images? Bingobangobongoboo (talk) 20:16, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

I think the gallery is reasonably useful (at least some of the photos anyway):
  • It shows the real colours of the Angel (despite being a featured pic, the main image has ridiculously over-saturated colours - the gallery shows more life-like colours.
  • The main image is at an angle and does not give a good representation of just how wide the wings are, whereas the frontal pictures do.
  • One of the images is a close-up, which gives a good view of the construction of the Angel, whereas the main image does not.
  • A photo that clearly shows the angle of the wings would be useful, but the edge-on one is at sunset and shows no detail.
The sunset photos are probably not so useful --Ozhiker (talk) 20:49, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
Fair points - thanks. I'll be bold and remove the sunset ones. Bingobangobongoboo (talk) 12:32, 15 February 2008 (UTC)