scrapbook

British Library tries a cunning stunt

[It appears that I haven't completely lost the Prude Badge -- it took about ten minutes for me to figure this one out. - Th.]

08:00 AEST Mon Oct 25 2004

The British Library has raised eyebrows by displaying a pink neon sign which reads: "Has anybody seen Mike Hunt?"

The rude art installation is on show in the world-famous library, home to the Magna Carta and the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci.

Designers were invited to submit works for an exhibition called 26 Letters: Illuminating the Alphabet. Each was given a particular letter and asked to create an art work around it. This particular installation was based on the letter C.

It is the creation of two women designers, Morag Myerscough and Charlotte Rawlins.

A British Library spokeswoman said only one member of the public and one staff member had complained so far.

"We held a briefing with staff to ensure people knew it was going on display and to answer any questions they may have," the spokeswoman said.

"The installation is not in a prominent place and it is certainly not in an area where schoolchildren might see it.

"It is not deliberately intended to upset people. The exhibition is meant to show that the British Library is not a fusty place."

But one British Library staff member told London's Evening Standard newspaper the sign was "adolescent" and said: "Why are they spending money on installing this in the British Library? It is ridiculous and offensive."

The exhibition runs until December 31.

Posted by thinkum at October 26, 2004 03:43 PM