One, two, three, four, five!
Who remembers singing this little ditty as a young child? We were learning without knowing….
One, two, three, four, five.
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine ,ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on the right.
The other day I caught a fish.
It was this [ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -] size! No Really!
The Big Fish ~ Ceramic
Artist: John Kindness Date: 1999
This ten metre Salmon has been sitting on the waters edge at Lagan Weir in Belfast, for over ten years. The work was commissioned to celebrate the regeneration of the River Lagan. It is located where the River Farset meets with the River Lagan.
Colourful little number!
The outer skin of the fish is a cladding of ceramic tiles decorated with texts and images relating to the history of Belfast. The Big Fish also contains a time capsule storing information, images and poetry about the city.
Closer detail
On close inspection you will find little nuggets right from Tudor times to the present day. There are contributions from Belfast school children. including a soldier and an Ulster Fry – Those Ulster Fries, often referred to as a heart attack on a plate, turn up everywhere!
The Ship Yard
The Ulster Museum was the primary source for historic images, while local schools and day centres located along the line of the River Farset were approached to provide drawings for the fish. Images were provided by Glenwood Primary School, St Comgalls and Everton Day Centres.
How many do you recognise?
John Kindness is one of Northern Ireland’s best known artists, particularly in relation to the work he has produced for public spaces including Big Fish at Donegall Quay in Belfast (1999) and Waterfall of Souvenirs (I will feature this next week) at the Ulsterbus Station in Glengall Street, Belfast (1991).
He has had solo exhibitions in the Ulster Museum, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin, Art in General, New York and Third Eye Centre, Glasgow.
His work has been is included in many private and public collections including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the AIB Bank.
I have my eye on you!
kenju said,
December 11, 2011 at 7:32 am
What a wonderful sculpture! I’d love to be able to see each tile and understand the history in them.
Nick said,
December 11, 2011 at 9:17 am
The Big Fish is wonderful. I always have a look at it if I’m in the area. I love all the fascinating images.
Rummuser said,
December 11, 2011 at 1:44 pm
I was wondering where it went. Will you believe that this is the one that got away from me?
Seriously, that is a mangnificent piece of sculpture and the embellishments only add to its mystique.
Delirious said,
December 11, 2011 at 3:37 pm
i LOVE this! The fish is beautiful, and the text and images make it priceless!
blackwatertown said,
December 11, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Thsi is great. I was aware of this fish sculpture - and liked it - but I’d not realised that there was a host of mini pictures on the scales - including that cartoon by Ian Knox. I’ll have to look properly next time I’m over. Thanks for the awareness raising.
Grannymar said,
December 11, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Judy - Most of the close-ups were from the other side of the sculpture. The full side that you see seems a little faded, my camera is not powerful enough and my skills prevent me from producing the detail I want.
Nick - This was the first time I saw it up close, I certainly intend going back another day. I hope to feature another piece by John Kindness, next week. I am sure you know it well.
Grannymar said,
December 11, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Ramana - With the size of it, I doubt if anyone could catch it.
Delirious - Every time you blink, you see something new on the fish. I need to go back again.
BWT - Like you, I had not realised the detail. Have another piece that you should recognise next week.
Conrad said,
December 11, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Beside the beauty of the piece, what I love is that the art is at more than one level, more than one scale. It has multiple dimensions, kind of like Escher’s works, but with more artistic beauty. I would love to see it in person.
Grannymar said,
December 11, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Conrad - I look forward to a day when I can take you & Carol around Belfast.
The Laughing Housewife said,
December 12, 2011 at 9:59 am
That fish is fabulous. And yes, I do remember that rhyme
Grannymar said,
December 12, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Tilly - that fish has really grown on me!
Baino said,
December 12, 2011 at 7:42 pm
I wondered where that was, I know someone who has it as their blogger avatar. Mystery solved.
Grannymar said,
December 12, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Baino - Now you have the answer.
Grannymar » Waterfall of Souvenirs said,
December 18, 2011 at 6:00 am
[...] known artists, particularly in relation to the work he has produced for public spaces including The Big Fish at Donegall Quay in Belfast (1999) ( featured last week) and this piece at the Ulsterbus Station in [...]