‘Giant Cornetto’ Olympic torch sculpture is a monstrosity, say locals

A 10m high sculpture of an Olympic torch unveiled in a housing estate has left residents baffled – with one likening it to a giant Cornetto.

Locals in Andover branded the artwork a “monstrosity” which would end up “filled with junk”.

The 30ft-high sliver metal torch – which is supposed to be a “symbol of hope” for residents – was recently installed by the council in Hants, in a £69,000 public art project paid for by a housing company.

But locals said the Olympic theme had no connection to the town and the “upside down ice cream cone” was nothing but an “eyesore”, with the money better spent elsewhere.

The sculpture, by artist Tim War, is in the Urban Park of the town’s recent Picket Twenty development, built by Persimmon Homes.

When planning permission was applied for, the designers said: “The ‘Torch’ sculpture represents a symbol of hope that guides, like a signal fire of old on a hill, or flaming tower or pole, people to the Urban Park.

“During the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games [the torch] was processed through the Picket Twenty Urban Park. The Torch design takes the form of sweeping ‘movement’ curves with kinetic elements,” they said.

Construction of Picket Twenty, formerly a hamlet, began in 2010 and the suburb consists of 1,200 homes.

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), based in Andover, used Facebook to introduce the artwork, located on the sports pitches of a “new neighbourhood” within the town.

The council said: “The Torch is currently being finalised in the Urban Park. This impressive 9.5m tall landmark sculpture represents a symbol of hope to guide people to this well-used space.”

In total, three pieces of artwork were commissioned by Persimmon, as part of the project managed by the TVBC.

Trisha Williams, 39, has lived in Picket Twenty for seven years and said the money could have been spent improving the roads.

Discussing the funding, she continued: “It just seems ridiculous how they’re not more concerned about the roads, surely they could have used that money, at their discretion.”

‘An enormous basketball hoop’

Describing the statue, Ms Williams added: “It just looks like an upside-down ice cream cone that’s a monstrosity in the middle of a field.

“It doesn’t show anything to do with Picket Twenty, it’s not associated with anything, it’s just a random piece of metal.”

Other locals also took to social media to share their opinions on the “symbol of hope” sculpture.

Phil Marsden wrote “Just one Cornetto!” on Facebook, while Paul Watson added: “The cone will be filled with junk as it becomes a challenge like an enormous basketball hoop and re-painted with lots of new graffiti art.”

Two other artworks have also been installed in the park including large colourful hoops located alongside a play area and a third artwork called the Tree Column.

Luigi Gregori, a local councillor, said he believed plaques explaining the purpose of artworks would improve the projects.

He said: “Public art is very subjective and will often be subject to criticism.

“Most of this criticism comes from a lack of communication of what the art installations are about. There is no doubt that communication in the round could be better.”

‘A beacon for the area’

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes South Coast said: “We are delighted to see the latest artworks from Tim Ward installed in Urban Park, close to the Picket Twenty community. The torch acts as a beacon for the area, bringing the new community to this shared space.

“We hope these new artworks will help create some pride and a sense of ownership in the area.”

A spokesman from Test Valley Borough Council confirmed the commission for the three artworks was £69,000.

They said: “This funding was specifically for the creation of public art on the Picket Twenty development and the council did not contribute any funds towards this work.”