Sources at the National Galleries of Scotland have declared themselves delighted at pre-launch publicity for Antony Gormley's 6 Times Horizon (which is officially unveiled tomorrow).
Through gritted teeth they have resolutely looked on the bright side as locals first dressed the Stockbridge figure in a pink bikini, and then misinterpreted the Bonnington one as a corpse.
They were, they affirmed, heartened by the public's interaction with the works.
How, we wonder, will they respond to the reception for the first of the figures to be installed (in Leith)? Here, the work has rapidly become a firm local favourite – well, at least with seagulls – who have shown their appreciation in the only way they know how. One suspects this is what gulls would like to do to all humans, if only they could get away with it. (See Issue 183 for how the Gormley looked before winged art lovers began enjoying it.)
Spurtle's (admittedly childish) amusement is not meant to detract from what this contributor, at least, considers a rather beautiful and thought-provoking project. However, it does connect to serious concerns for and about the artwork, to which Spurtle will return later.