Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. 10th March, 2014. UK Weather. Spring sunshine on the Comedy Pavement being enjoyed by children and adults on Tower esplanade. A celebration of comedy on an extraordinary scale. The work of more than 1,000 comedians and comedy writers, the carpet gives visual form to jokes, songs and catchphrases dating from the early days of variety to the present. The 2,200m2 work of art contains over 160,000 granite letters embedded into concrete, pushing the boundaries of public art and typography to their limits.
Shifts in tastes, combined with opportunities for Britons to travel overseas, supplanted Blackpool's status as a leading resort during the late 20th century. Nevertheless, Blackpool's urban fabric and economy remains relatively undiversified, and firmly rooted in the tourism sector, and the borough's seafront continues to attract millions of visitors every year. In addition to its sandy beaches, Blackpool's major attractions and landmarks include Blackpool Tower, Blackpool Illuminations, the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Zoo, and Sandcastle Water Park. The carpet - made of granite and concrete - features catchphrases and jokes from hundreds of famous comedians, including Dodd, Frankie Howerd, Tommy Cooper and Morecambe and Wise. It was constructed beneath Blackpool Tower. Officials in Blackpool likened the Comeday Pavement it to the Angel of the North - but horizontal. The larger catchphrases can be seen from the top of the tower that looms above it. The 2,200m square installation features 160,000 individually cut letters spelling out the famous one liners. The £4m project has taken five years from conception to installation.
Size: 3600px × 2392px
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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