I made a (rather half-hearted post sometime ago about the brutalism at UEA Norwich campus. It poured on me all the time I was there so wasn’t greatly impressed with my results.
I revisited a few months later…the weather wasn’t much better to be honest, but the rain wasn’t falling quite as hard as last time!
The University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich is home to a number of Brutalist buildings designed by British architect Denys Lasdun. These buildings, which were completed in 1964, are characterized by their use of raw concrete and a focus on functionality.
The UEA campus is composed of a series of interconnected Brutalist buildings arranged around a central courtyard. The buildings feature rough, unfinished concrete exteriors and a grid-like arrangement of windows. They are connected by a series of ramps and bridges that link the different levels of the campus.
One of the most notable Brutalist buildings on the UEA campus is the University Library, which is known for its distinctive zig-zagging shape and its use of concrete as the primary building material. The library is located at the heart of the campus and serves as a hub for research and study.
Other Brutalist buildings on the UEA campus include the Lecture Theatre Complex and the School of Environmental Sciences. These buildings share the same raw concrete exterior and functional design as the University Library and are an integral part of the campus.
Brutalist architecture has a mixed reputation, with some people praising its raw, functional aesthetic and others finding it uninviting and harsh. Despite this, the Brutalist buildings at the UEA have become iconic landmarks on the campus and are an important part of the university’s history and identity.
In addition to its Brutalist buildings, the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich is also home to a number of sculptures that are located throughout the campus. Here is a brief overview of some of the notable sculptures on the UEA campus:
- “The Helix”: “The Helix” is a sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley that is located in the central courtyard of the UEA campus. The sculpture consists of two large, spiral-shaped forms made of steel and concrete that are entwined together. It was created in 2003 and was commissioned as part of the university’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
- “The Egg”: “The Egg” is a sculpture by British artist Henry Moore that is located on the lawn outside the University Library. The sculpture is made of bronze and depicts a large, oval-shaped form with two small, spherical shapes nestled inside. It was created in 1975 and was a gift to the university from the artist.
- “The Watcher”: “The Watcher” is a sculpture by British artist Barbara Hepworth that is located on the lawn outside the School of Environmental Sciences. The sculpture is made of bronze and depicts a tall, slender form with a curved top. It was created in 1971 and was also a gift to the university from the artist.
- “The Spinner”: “The Spinner” is a sculpture by British artist Anthony Caro that is located on the lawn outside the School of Music and Fine Art. The sculpture is made of steel and depicts a series of interconnected, geometric shapes. It was created in 1979 and was commissioned by the university.
- Anthony Gormley’s Event Horizon statues (see below)
These sculptures add an artistic element to the UEA campus and provide a contrast to the Brutalist architecture of the buildings. They are popular destinations for students and visitors to the campus and contribute to the university’s cultural identity.
Antony Gormley’s Event Horizon
Antony Gormley is a British sculptor known for his large-scale public artworks, including “Event Horizon,” a series of sculptures that depict human figures standing on the tops of buildings and other structures.
“Event Horizon” was first installed in London in 2007 and has since been exhibited in other cities around the world, including New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Sydney. In 2014, a version of “Event Horizon” was installed on the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus in Norwich, with 31 sculptures placed on the roofs of buildings and other locations around the campus.
The “Event Horizon” sculptures on the UEA campus are made of cast iron and stand at a height of approximately 6 meters (20 feet). They depict human figures with outstretched arms, as if reaching for the sky. The sculptures are intended to create a sense of connection between the human figures and the surrounding environment, as if they are trying to communicate with the world around them.
“Event Horizon” has been well-received by audiences and has been praised for its thought-provoking nature and its ability to engage viewers in a dialogue about the human condition. The sculptures on the UEA campus have become a popular attraction for students and visitors to the campus and have contributed to the university’s cultural identity.
There has, however, been some controversy surrounding the placement of the “Event Horizon” sculptures on the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus in Norwich. Some people have criticized the sculptures for being located on the tops of buildings and other structures, arguing that they could potentially be used as platforms for suicide.
In response to these concerns, the university has implemented measures to ensure the safety of the sculptures and the people who visit them. These measures include installing barriers around the sculptures and providing information and support resources for students who may be experiencing mental health issues.
Despite these measures, some people have continued to express concern about the placement of the sculptures. In 2019, the university removed one of the sculptures from the roof of a building after it received a number of complaints about its location.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the “Event Horizon” sculptures on the UEA campus highlights the importance of considering the potential risks and impacts of public artworks, as well as the need to provide support and resources for people who may be struggling with mental health issues.
On Thursday 24th November 2022 The Student Union Council passed a motion calling for UEA to remove the famous (or infamous) Antony Gormley statues at the end of their five year loan period, which would be complete by the end of the academic year.
