Hop to it and put your name on a toad in the road
INDIVIDUALS are being given the chance to sponsor the toads being dotted around Hull to commemorate the 25th anniversary of poet Philip Larkin's death.
Members of the public can now support the programme by putting their names on one of the decorative toads created for this summer's mass participation arts event, Larkin With Toads.
Organiser Larkin25 is responding to public interest following recent publicity over the growing number of businesses sponsoring the one-metre high toads.
They will be "released" across the city on July 17, when the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race returns.
The selected design is The Hidden Toad by artist Sasha Heath.
Larkin25 programme director Emily Penn said: "We have been receiving a growing number of enquiries from individual members of the public, so we talked to one of the artists submitting designs for Larkin With Toads and she has agreed to add the names of members of the public supporting the project."
For a donation of just £25 people can support Larkin25 and have their name, or someone they nominate, incorporated within the intricate "puzzle" design, with hundreds of toads making up one giant toad.
Artist Sasha Heath said: "I want to have a sort of puzzle-like atmosphere with the sculpture.
"Where's Wally was one of my favourite children's books, I loved searching through all the detail to find the hidden character.
"It is a sort of puzzle toad game with a hidden king toad wearing a crown.
"The names will add an exciting extra dimension to this concept. I like the irony of hundreds of toads making up one giant toad. It will entice people to interact with it."
Anyone wishing to know more can e-mail clare.huby @vhey.co.uk or call the Larkin25 office on 01482 486540.
Link
Larkin25
www.Larkin25.co.uk
8 Comments
by olsdragon, PETERBOROUGH
Saturday, July 31 2010, 7:44PM
“We recently visited Hull for the end of the Clipper race. The toads were an added bonus - they are GREAT ! There were many children and adults admiring and photographing them. I think they fantastic and may bring many people to the city to see them - they will obviously spend money in the city. Come on folk of Hull [I was born here] get out there and enjoy them - they are fun !
I believe they will be sold on at the end of the 10 week period - surely this will cover most of the costs ?”
by olsdragon, PETERBOROUGH
Saturday, July 31 2010, 7:38PM
“We came up to Hull for the end of the Clipper race. The toads were an added bonus ! We love them ! Come on Folk of Hull [my birth place] have fun and enjoy them. Visitors certainly do.”
by Steve, Hull
Friday, May 14 2010, 12:44PM
“Have you ever heard such BULL..... Due to public demand we're being invited to throw good money away having our name on a toad. More likely that they're committed to this £200k plus project and need someone to pay for it when the council rightly backed out.. Cue us the public, suckers... James, you can't comment as you're obviously a crony of someone in the business of making money from the symbols of evil, or you're completely mad. Surely a better way to commerate Larkin, although I don't see why we should when so many Hull born greats and legends are un celebrated, would be to improve the cycle paths or the supply of porn, both of which Larkin loved and were his favourite pastimes.”
by Seamus, Limerick
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 3:05PM
“Where¿s Wally, I say in dissension
Was, for children, a harmless invention.
Will we make from Phil¿s verses
Of swearing and curses
A word search of suitable pretension?”
by Seamus, Limerick
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 2:37PM
“When they asked me to sponsor a toad
With foul expletives I did explode
There were people in tears
As they covered their ears
I was stuck in the Larkinesque mode!”
by James, Hull
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 2:32PM
“Great idea and a nice way to celebrate Larkin. Can't wait to see all the colourful toads dotted round the city. Will put a smile on my face and no doubt many others. It's sad that anonymous people on message boards think it's clever to put down anything new. Hull deserves urban art just as much as Hoxton!”
by Ranter, Hull.
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 12:23PM
“Heres my suggestion for a few toad sponsors to keep the anniversary in the true Phil Larkin spirit.
Coventry City Council.
The Gordons gin distillery.
The Foul Mouth help group.
Sex Addicts Anonymous.
and last but not least,
the NSDAP (Nazi Party) in recognition for the many attendances Phils dad made to the Nurenburg rallies, and his sons inherited racist and anti jew beliefs.”
by Harry, Balzac
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 12:17PM
“What exactly is the purpose of all this nonsense? And how is it being funded?
I think Hull has more pressing needs than funding the Emilys and Sashas of this world to embark on their jolly hockey sticks project.
It's Hull not Hoxton!”