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Anthony McCall's Olympic artwork Column scrapped Anthony McCall's Olympic artwork Column scrapped
(35 minutes later)
Plans for a giant steam artwork on the Liverpool skyline have been abandoned after 15 months of failed attempts to make it materialise.Plans for a giant steam artwork on the Liverpool skyline have been abandoned after 15 months of failed attempts to make it materialise.
Artist Anthony McCall designed Column, a spiral of steam that should have risen 10km (six miles) into the sky.Artist Anthony McCall designed Column, a spiral of steam that should have risen 10km (six miles) into the sky.
Arts Council England has spent £535,000 of Lottery money on the project, which was due to have been running throughout 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad.Arts Council England has spent £535,000 of Lottery money on the project, which was due to have been running throughout 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad.
But the Arts Council have now called off further attempts to make it work. An Arts Council spokesperson said it "absolutely is not a waste of money".
McCall said: "It is with profound disappointment that we have decided to draw our project to a close.
"My team has worked long and hard but, due to the many regulatory and technical challenges, we have not been able to bring Column to completion."
Column was originally due to launch on 31 December 2011 and run for exactly 12 months.Column was originally due to launch on 31 December 2011 and run for exactly 12 months.
The giant spiral of steam should have risen from East Float dock in Birkenhead and been visible for at least 100km (62 miles) on a clear day, becoming a "nationally and internationally recognised landmark", according to the organisers' original proposals.The giant spiral of steam should have risen from East Float dock in Birkenhead and been visible for at least 100km (62 miles) on a clear day, becoming a "nationally and internationally recognised landmark", according to the organisers' original proposals.
But it was repeatedly delayed. The Civil Aviation Authority was worried that it would interfere with aircraft and the Port Health Authority had concerns that it could cause Legionella.But it was repeatedly delayed. The Civil Aviation Authority was worried that it would interfere with aircraft and the Port Health Authority had concerns that it could cause Legionella.
Even after those fears were allayed, the steam-generating mechanism did not work properly and the column still did not appear.Even after those fears were allayed, the steam-generating mechanism did not work properly and the column still did not appear.
The project was originally announced in 2009, when the Arts Council commissioned 12 artworks to be created across the UK to coincide with the London 2012 Olympics.The project was originally announced in 2009, when the Arts Council commissioned 12 artworks to be created across the UK to coincide with the London 2012 Olympics.
McCall's plan was chosen from 172 entries for the Artists Taking the Lead project in the north-west and was given a budget of £500,000.McCall's plan was chosen from 172 entries for the Artists Taking the Lead project in the north-west and was given a budget of £500,000.
Elsewhere in the UK, the other 11 Artists Taking the Lead commissions - ranging from a set of three crocheted lions in the East Midlands to a new football pitch created in a forest in the Scottish Borders - have all appeared.Elsewhere in the UK, the other 11 Artists Taking the Lead commissions - ranging from a set of three crocheted lions in the East Midlands to a new football pitch created in a forest in the Scottish Borders - have all appeared.
The British-born, New York-based Anthony McCall is an internationally renowned artist who is known for using mist, light and projection to create ethereal "sculptures" in mid air.The British-born, New York-based Anthony McCall is an internationally renowned artist who is known for using mist, light and projection to create ethereal "sculptures" in mid air.