Locals fury over £6,000 sculpture that resembles a giant poo emoji - but can YOU guess what its supposed to be?
A new public sculpture of a snail has been likened to a giant poo emoji and branded a huge waste of public money by furious locals.
A new public sculpture of a snail has been likened to a giant poo emoji and branded a huge waste of public money by furious locals.
The Periwinkle Shelter artwork, which cost £6,000, is woven from willow branches and is designed to imitate a tiny sea snail.
The 4.5m-tall sculpture was unveiled at Earnley Viewpoint at Medmerry Nature Reserve, near Chichester in West Sussex, last week - but has faced a backlash from residents in the area baffled by its appearance.
It is also meant to reflect the sites Bronze and Middle Age history, as periwinkles were found in the remains of a medieval fish basket by archaeologists during the creation of the Medmerry Nature Reserve.
The sculpture is designed to complement two public art pieces that were launched earlier this year.
But among its critics is Solly Everett, who said: The idea of marking the rich coastal heritage of the south coast with a giant poo emoji is hilarious.
But given the amount of raw sewage in the sea these day perhaps it is entirely appropriate.
Its a huge waste of public money. Couldnt they come up with a better design than this - its ridiculous. What an absolute farce!
The Periwinkle Shelter artwork near Chichester in West Sussex, which cost £6,000, is woven from willow branches and is designed to imitate a tiny sea snail
Critics have compared the artwork to a giant poo emoji found on mobile phones and online
Another visitor said: I find it inconceivable that at no stage during the design of this massive sculpture not one person put up their hand to say, "Excuse me, but it looks like a giant poo".
Its all well and good spending large amounts of taxpayers money on public art but surely there should be more consultation over what it will look like.
Another visitor to the reserve said: I couldnt stop laughing when I saw it.
I thought it was a joke at first. When I walked past another walker at the reserve, they just laughed as well.
The Periwinkle Shelter was designed and created by local artists, Rebecca and Mark Ford of Two Circles Design, and is made from Sussex willow.
Backing the project is Culture Spark, a creative partnership between Chichester District Council, Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery.
Culture Spark received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is administered by Chichester District Council.
Councillor John Cross, cabinet member for culture, sport and place at Chichester District Council, is a fan, saying: The inspiration for the Periwinkle Shelter derives from archaeological excavations of the Medmerry site and tells a fascinating tale.
The 4.5m-tall sculpture was unveiled at Earnley Viewpoint at Medmerry Nature Reserve, near Chichester in West Sussex, last week
Evidence was discovered of several circular Bronze Age roundhouses and burial grounds - dating from 1,100 BC - on the site, along with the remains of a medieval wooden kettle to funnel and trap fish in a weir at low tide using wickerwork fences.
This beautiful sculpture is woven from Sussex and Somerset willow and signifies both a glance back to the past and an acknowledgement of this new incarnation for the Medmerry landscape.
But a critic said: Periwinkle? Dont think so. The artist is having a laugh. What did that pile cost?
And another said: Councils are always complaining they have no money so how they manage to find cash for ill-conceived projects like this, I do not know.
A spokesperson for Chichester District Council said: This was a community project funded by several partners and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is one of three pieces of public art that were commissioned for the RSPB Medmerry Nature Reserve.
As part of the Medmerry projects we invited local artists to submit ideas for installations, which had to use natural materials and meet the brief of being closely linked to the specific installation sites.
This also included running a series of community workshops, where members of the public made their own willow art, which was incorporated into the final sculpture.
Art projects like this are a great way to bring people together, connect with nature and share in the stories and history of their local area.
The sculpture is said to reflect Bronze and Middle Age history, as periwinkles were found in the remains of a medieval fish basket during the creation of the Medmerry Nature Reserve
Medmerry Nature Reserve is one of Europes largest coastal realignment schemes. It is man-made and was designed to protect the surrounding villages and towns from flooding.
Its creation involved constructing a new 7km flood embankment on higher ground further inland and transforming 183 hectares into new intertidal habitats for birds and other wildlife.
The project was completed in 2013 by the Environment Agency in partnership with the RSPB funded by Associated British Ports.
The sale marsh and mudflats are now home to rare birds including lapwing, redshank. ringed plover and corn bunting.
