High above Oxford’s rooftops a nude iron man stands. This is the Together Statue also known as Another Time XI AG 801. It sits atop Blackwell’s Art and Poster Shop. The seven-foot-tall statue is a striking sight. It is part of Antony Gormley’s Another Time II series. The sculptor is famously known for his Angel of the North. The statue is made of iron. It weighs half a ton. An anonymous benefactor donated over £250000 for its placement. It arrived in Oxford on a Kingerlee lorry in February 2009. The initial attempt to secure its arms failed. It took a special underarm lift for the installation. The Bursar of Exeter College helped align it with Martyrs’ Cross. Its unexpected location often surprises passersby. Many mistake it for a suicide attempt. Students have been known to dress it in various outfits. The statue’s placement pleased both the artist and Exeter College’s rector. The rector considered it a wonderful contrast to Trinity College’s ornate figures. Gormley himself hoped the statue would spark questions. Questions like What is that naked iron bloke doing up there? He hoped there would never be a single satisfactory answer. The Together Statue remains a unique and intriguing part of Oxford’s landscape. A conversation starter. A piece of art causing wonder and curiosity. A lasting impression.
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, a sprawling green expanse, holds more than meets the eye. It’s a place where history whispers