In a bid to ensure a lasting legacy for London, Mayor Boris Johnson is in the middle of planning a £15 million monument to rival the Eiffel Tower, which will be built in the Olympic Park in time for the 2012 Games – but the tower already has its critics, who say that its design is going against Boris’ former pledges not to litter London’s skyline with any more tall buildings…
The 120-metre tower, which has been designed for the Olympic Park Legacy project in the city of London, will be funded by the steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal — Britain’s richest man.
The tower has attracted designs from some of the country’s most famous artists, including former Turner prize winner Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley, the designer of the Angel of the North, near Gateshead.
A panel is currently considering five designs and the winner will be revealed in two weeks time.
When Boris was accused of having an affair in 2004, he made comments about an ‘inverted pyramid of piffle,’- comments which have now coined the name ‘Piffle Tower’ for the new London structure.
The real name of the structure will be ‘Transmission’ and it will be six times taller than the Angel of the North and constructed from steel. With viewing decks overlooking Olympic Park, Transmission will be lit up at night and powered by solar panels.
The design is said to be inspired by an electricity pylon and will form part of a series of cultural programmes and artworks designed in honour of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Critics are already concerned that Boris is more interested in creating a lasting monument to his time as Mayor rather than creating a powerful piece for London. Recently, he talked of not littering the capital’s skyline with more tall buildings – a statement which seems to be contradicted by these latest plans.
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