LIVERPOOL wants to build an iconic piece of public art, based on the Liver Bird, to rival the Angel of the North.
City leaders say they are to host a worldwide search for a leading sculptor or artist to design the piece, which will be placed in a key location.
The council says it is hopeful the sculpture will be on a par with other major public art works around the UK and the world, but insists major local firms which use the Liver Bird emblem could contribute to the cost.
Next year is the centenary of the legendary bird of prey being placed atop the Liver Buildings. The sculptor of the original bird, Carl Bernard Bartels, was commissioned following a competition.
A piece of public art is due to be installed at Everton Brow, the high point overlooking the city, but the Liver Bird project could either be in a central location or at one of the “gateways” into the city such as the waterfront or the end of the M62 so it can be seen from miles around.
Council leader Joe Anderson said he had been approached by Liverpool residents about the idea of creating the sculpture, and that he thought it apt to celebrate the unique heritage symbol.
He said: “London has its bridges, New York has the Statue of Liberty, Paris has its tower.
“Liverpool deserves an iconic image befitting a city of its world renown.
“Manchester and Birmingham would kill to have a symbol of their cities recognised around the globe, and I’m fully behind the idea of creating a striking piece of public art to remind people that this is one of the great cities of the world.
“It would be a major tourist attraction for visitors from all corners, and would be a great way of embodying our civic pride,"
"The public will be included on panels to find both a location and chose the original designs", Cllr Anderson added.
The Liver Bird is though to originate from an artist’s error in the 13th century.
When King John granted the charter to the city in 1207, he ordered that it should have a heraldic eagle on its new seal.
But the local artist who created the original image, it is suspected, had never seen an eagle, and the end result resembled a cormorant more than an eagle.
The most famous Liver Birds are, of course, those perched on top of the Liver Building, but the esteem sculptor Bartels was held in diminished with the onset of the First World War and the rise in anti-German feeling.
His family have visited the city in the past in the hope of seeing a permanent memorial to his contribution to Liverpool’s worldwide recognition on the back of the bird image.
Legend has it that if the birds ever fly away, the city will tumble into the sea.
The main problem for the sculpture plan will undoubtedly be in raising the necessary finance at a time when the public belt is being ever tightened, although Cllr Anderson has said he is keen to enlist the support of local private businesses to help raise the money required.
City leaders say they are to host a worldwide search for a leading sculptor or artist to design the piece, which will be placed in a key location.
The council says it is hopeful the sculpture will be on a par with other major public art works around the UK and the world, but insists major local firms which use the Liver Bird emblem could contribute to the cost.
Next year is the centenary of the legendary bird of prey being placed atop the Liver Buildings. The sculptor of the original bird, Carl Bernard Bartels, was commissioned following a competition.
A piece of public art is due to be installed at Everton Brow, the high point overlooking the city, but the Liver Bird project could either be in a central location or at one of the “gateways” into the city such as the waterfront or the end of the M62 so it can be seen from miles around.
Council leader Joe Anderson said he had been approached by Liverpool residents about the idea of creating the sculpture, and that he thought it apt to celebrate the unique heritage symbol.
He said: “London has its bridges, New York has the Statue of Liberty, Paris has its tower.
“Liverpool deserves an iconic image befitting a city of its world renown.
“Manchester and Birmingham would kill to have a symbol of their cities recognised around the globe, and I’m fully behind the idea of creating a striking piece of public art to remind people that this is one of the great cities of the world.
“It would be a major tourist attraction for visitors from all corners, and would be a great way of embodying our civic pride,"
"The public will be included on panels to find both a location and chose the original designs", Cllr Anderson added.
The Liver Bird is though to originate from an artist’s error in the 13th century.
When King John granted the charter to the city in 1207, he ordered that it should have a heraldic eagle on its new seal.
But the local artist who created the original image, it is suspected, had never seen an eagle, and the end result resembled a cormorant more than an eagle.
The most famous Liver Birds are, of course, those perched on top of the Liver Building, but the esteem sculptor Bartels was held in diminished with the onset of the First World War and the rise in anti-German feeling.
His family have visited the city in the past in the hope of seeing a permanent memorial to his contribution to Liverpool’s worldwide recognition on the back of the bird image.
Legend has it that if the birds ever fly away, the city will tumble into the sea.
The main problem for the sculpture plan will undoubtedly be in raising the necessary finance at a time when the public belt is being ever tightened, although Cllr Anderson has said he is keen to enlist the support of local private businesses to help raise the money required.