MEDIA CALL: 12 NOON 28th OCTOBER 2019 at TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON
Meet the team of artists, chefs and creatives as they set off by coach (wrapped in the British Flag) at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the UK’s cultural links with Europe.
For the 50th anniversary of The Italian Job.
(Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xi0gvyq2hj5f0ss/AABVGwBWpd9v3KLnaTVg7M-na?dl=0_)
2019 marks the 50th anniversary of one of the UK’s most iconic films, The Italian Job. A team of artists, chefs and creatives are to drive by coach (wrapped in the British Flag) from London to Turin on 28th October to champion the UK’s cultural links with Italy - including art, design, food and wine.
In the city of Turin, Royal Academy artist Richard Wilson will be placing a full scale replica of the famous vintage Harrington coach on top of a six-storey apartment block in central Turin.
The building will be wrapped in the style of the cliff face - as seen in the final moments of the film - and the coach will appear to be rocking on the edge of the building, waving like a British flag.
Richard Wilson is internationally celebrated for his interventions in architectural space. The artwork, ‘Hang On a Minute Lads, I’ve Got A Great Idea’ was inspired by the final line of the 1969 heist movie, as spoken by screen legend Michael Caine.
The project is led by curator and collector Mark Hinchliffe.
Mark Hinchliffe said: “It’s a work of art to behold and an engineering feat! We are all now far more European than 50 years ago in our attitudes towards food, wine, art and culture and – especially in the current political climate - we want to celebrate our friendship with Europe with this cultural intervention.”
The stunt will be part of Artissima - one of the largest art fairs in Europe - with 60,000 people attending from all over the world. Arriving on Wednesday 30th October, 70 Minis will have a police escort through the city of Turin and park up in one of the Palazzo’s to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Italian Job. The whole project will be filmed in (carry on film) art house style.
ENDS
EDITORS NOTES
View project film https://youtu.be/kMHz1vCgGtQ
View project photos https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xi0gvyq2hj5f0ss/AABVGwBWpd9v3KLnaTVg7M-na?dl=0_)
For media enquires contact Mark on 07790 902 603
Artissima Art Fair open 31st October - 3rd November, 2019.
ABOUT MARK HINCHLIFFE (ART CURATOR AND COLLECTOR)
Mark Hinchliffe converted the Grade II listed 19th century Italianate Chapel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Through a lifetime of collecting, The Chapel now houses his collection of antiques, furniture and contemporary art. Mark has also recently published a coffee table book on The Chapel, made a pilot for a documentary and had magazine and photo-shoots. The Chapel has featured on: Channel 4's 'The Restoration Man' with George Clarke (2016); Quest TV's 'Salvage Hunters' with Drew Pritchard (2018), and Channel 4's 'Four in a Bed' (2018) winner. https://thechapelhg1.com/
ABOUT RICHARD WILSON (ROYAL ACADEMY)
Wilson was commissioned to create a rooftop sculpture for the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea, UK in 2012. Inspired by the final scene of the film 'The Italian Job', he made an automated sculpture of a full-sized replica of the coach, appearing to teeter on the edge of the roof. In 2015 Wilson was then commissioned to install the same work on the roof of the Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/richard-wilson-ra
.