4) Citizen Firefighter | |||||||
|
Location – Gordon Street, Glasgow. Outside Central Station Typology - Free standing figure on a low plinth in fire-fighting uniform. Visored and helmeted with breathing apparatus. Comments on type of work undertaken by firemen. Construction / Completion Dates - Commissioned by Strathclyde Fire Brigade 2001 Description - Patinated Bronze on stone plinth. Representational figurative Artist - Kenny Hunter, Born 1962 Urban – Thoroughfare in central public place as opposed to being placed within a fire station. This is to allow the public to interact with the monument. It is situated in a popular retail district outside Scotland’s busiest train station. Rationale – Commemorative tribute to fire fighters past and present. It has connections to the World Trade Centre disaster and is used as a British monument where flowers are laid on the anniversary of the disaster. The people of Glasgow spontaneously used it as a memorial for 9/11 and many people who were interviewed believed it to be such a memorial. People also commented that they felt that it didn’t reflect a British fire fighter, it was more American. However, it was erected in June 2001 as a tribute to fire fighters who contributed to the Strathclyde Brigade. It reflects self-sacrifice. It has become a popular meeting place for the people of Glasgow and it has created a focal point for fire brigade demonstrations. |