Another Place

Another Place is a modern sculpture by Antony Gormley on Crosby Beach in Merseyside. It shows 100 cast iron figures facing the sea, each modelled on the artist’s own body. The work stretches for two miles between Waterloo and Blundellsands. The figures stand 1.89 metres tall and weigh 650 kilograms. They were cast at foundries in Halifax and West Bromwich. Tides regularly cover and uncover the statues, while seawater and marine life slowly change their surfaces. The sculpture first appeared in Germany, Norway and Belgium before arriving in Merseyside. It sparked debate over art and safety, yet brought more visitors to the beach. Local businesses and art lovers argued for it to stay. The coastguard and watersports users raised concerns about tides and soft sand. After a campaign and a council vote, the figures were allowed to remain in 2007. Visitors walk the beach to see the rows of figures stretching into the distance. Some statues stand on the sand while others vanish beneath the waves. Over time, barnacles and other sea creatures have settled on the iron surfaces. The changing light and tides alter how the figures appear hour by hour. The work links the land with the horizon, drawing the eye out to sea.