Go Superlambananas!


Go Superlambananas! was an art exhibition that took place in Liverpool, England, during the city's European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008. Based upon Taro Chiezo's Superlambanana, which had been located in Liverpool since 1998, the exhibit consisted of 124 two metre high replicas, which were located throughout Liverpool and the surrounding areas. Each mini-Superlambanana was individually designed by local community groups and artists, with a range of public and private sector organisations providing sponsorship funding. The mini-Superlambananas were on display for ten weeks, from June to August 2008.

Background

The Go Superlambananas! art exhibition was developed and based upon the Superlambanana sculpture that has been located in Liverpool since 1998. Designed by Manhattan-based Japanese artist Taro Chiezo for the 1998 ArtTransPennine Exhibition, the sculpture is a cross between a banana and a lamb. Superlambanana's design is also heavily influenced by the history of Liverpool itself, as historically both sheep and bananas were common cargos in the city's docks. The original sculpture weighs almost eight tons and stands 17 feet tall. Throughout its history the sculpture has been located at various areas throughout the city and on occasions even further afield. It currently stands on Tithebarn Street, outside the Liverpool John Moores University Avril Robarts Library/Learning Resource Centre.

History

The Go Superlambananas! exhibition was developed by the Liverpool Culture Company, led by its Creative Director Phil Redmond, in partnership with the Wild In Art. As part of the city's Capital of Culture celebrations, the LCC were eager to develop a cultural event in which local people could be involved not just in its consumption, but also its production. The eventual idea settled on, was to build upon the Superlambanana artwork, which had over time come to be recognised as a symbol of Liverpool in itself. As a result, 124 mini-SuperLambananas were created, each of which acted as a blank slate, on which various groups throughout the city could develop and design their own cultural contribution the city's celebrations.

Auction

At the end of their ten-week run, the mini Superlambananas were auctioned off for the Lord Mayor's charities, with each having a guide price ranging from £3,000 to £8,000. The first of two auctions was held at St George's Hall on the 9 September 2008 with 68 Superlambananas up for sale. In total they sold for £550,000 or approximately £7,800 each, well above estimates. The highest bid on the night was £25,000, paid by the Chairman of National Museums Liverpool for 'Mandy' Mandala Superlambanana, designed and created by Cheshire artist Patricia Lee, whilst Phil Redmond, creative director of the Liverpool Culture Company, purchased four lots for a total of £55,000. Other notable purchasers included comedian John Bishop, playwright Fred Lawless and Big Brother star Craig Phillips. A second, internet-based auction took place on 16 September 2008 with 25% of the proceeds going to charity.

Exhibits

124 replica superlambananas were created as part of the exhibition. Each one was designed and sponsored by different organisations and subsequently located throughout the city and in some instances further afield.
;Liverpool City Centre
NameArtistSponsorLocation
24hoursuperlambananaDebbie Ryan'08 Business ConnectClayton Square
Art VandelistArtvandelay.comPS CollectiveEast Village, Duke Street
Atlambtic CompanionNicola McGovernAtlantic Container LinePrince's Dock
B of the BaaPhil CostelloNorthwest Regional Development AgencyExchange Flags
Baa Baa Braille SheepJola Kurzeja-Ryan; students from the National Blind Children's SocietyMerseytravelLiverpool Lime Street station
Baa-ve New WorldSally OldingLiverpool VisionLiverpool Town Hall
BackBitternBananaSophie Bower; Kathryn PattulloLiverpool School of Art and Design, Liverpool JMUMetropolitan Cathedral
Banana RockChristine O'Reilly WilsonAggregate IndustriesThe Strand
Beryl SebastianYoundaddaction; Liverpool Youth Advisory Group; Sophie Backhouse; Ian TownYoungaddaction LiverpoolClayton Square
Bloomin' Lamb BananaLower Lee SchoolWoolton in Bloom; Woolton Educational and Recreational TrustWoolton Street
CargoPhillip MarsdenSt George's Hall, Liverpool City CouncilSt George's Hall
ChopsAlix DrydenNorthwest Regional Development AgencyExchange Flags
Commercial District SkylineDavid FlanningLiverpool Commercial District PartnershipSt Paul's Square
DeerlamboltnanaT.J. DolanWild In ArtEast Village, Duke Street
Ewes Water WiselyLisa Parry; Christian EwenUnited UtilitiesAlbert Dock, City Centre
Fire Cracker to Martian SkiesLaurence PayotUtilityBold Street
First Past the PostPamela HolsteinLiverpool Chamber of Commerce and IndustryOld Hall Street, City Centre
FloraRosalind HargreavesNorthwest Regional Development AgencyExchange Flags
Friendship ForeverJessica Gardiner; Benjamin SmallSt John's Shopping CentreSt John's Shopping Centre
Green LambEd Butler; Julian TaylorHoliday InnHoliday Inn, Lime Street
Herd Days NightMark JonesMaghull DevelopmentsHope Street
HomerKim Tan; Creative Services; Liverpool City CouncilLiverpool Mutual Homes; Fusion 21Wellington Column, Lime Street, City Centre
I love GranadalandLaura McCreesh; Mike BadgerITV GranadaMetquarter, City Centre
Kenny the SuperlambBarbara Galt; Children from KensingtonCity and North Neighbourhood Management ServicesHall Lane, Kensington
KoppyGraham Berry; the Apple AgencyAdidasLFC Shop, Liverpool One, City Centre
Lamb-bassadorAnna Povall; Benjamin SmallWorld Firefighter Games 2008Echo Arena, City Centre
LamblineRachael WardMerseytravelJames Street station, City Centre
LamsaKatriona Beales; Finoon SalehThe Bluecoat SocietyBluecoat Chambers
Light Exposure, Light EmissionSmiling WolfBalfour BeattyThe Strand, City Centre
Loop of LifeMike CurtisCrowne Plaza Hotels and ResortsCrowne Plaza, Prince's Dock, City Centre
Mandy Mandala SuperlambananaPatricia Lee; Arts in Regeneration; residents of Granby, Toxteth and DingleSouth Central Management Team; Liverpool City CouncilFormerly Princes Boulevard, later Museum of Liverpool
MonaCharlotte BrownEnglish Cities FundSt Paul's Square, City Centre
Monument to the SuperlambananaAndrew JacksonPublic Monuments and Sculpture AssociationWorld Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street
Our GeorgeLiverpool O8 Volunteers; KECS Creative Community Arts08 Welcome; Liverpool Culture CompanySt George's Plateau
Our Working CommunityHolly LangleyNorth West TUCWellington Column, St George's Plateau
Pete Price's Super Laugh BananaPete Price; Phillip MarsdenLiverpool Daily Post; Liverpool EchoMetquarter, City Centre
Petite FleurHelen Marie-GilmourMetquarterMetquarter, City Centre
PortraitsClair FreemanWT JenkinsAlbert Dock, City Centre
Purple Sky at NightAlex JacksonWrencoHope Street
Push Me Pull EwePhillip Marsden; Ben CookSayersSt John's Shopping Centre
ReflectanaAnnabel WakefieldKier ConstructionDebenhams, Liverpool One, City Centre
RocksyBen CookNorthwest Regional Development AgencyExchange Flags, City Centre
Roy G BivOlivia SimpsonDCT Civil EngineeringThe Strand
Savio the SuperlambananaKerry Hunt; Savio High SchoolAlliance & LeicesterSt Paul's Square, City Centre
Sgt PepperLiverpool Hope University fine art and design studentsHard Day's Night HotelBlakes Restaurant, North John Street, City Centre
Super 'WiFi' LambananafonJon Wood; Gareth Shuttleworth; Chimp CreativeBT/FonEcho Arena, City Centre
SuperabbeyroadbananaVince Cleghorne; Kensington Youth Inclusion ProjectKier North WestBrownlow Hill
SuperChaiseLongueBananaLeanne Wookey; Team a go-go; Julian Taylor; J&A upholsteryBruntwoodRadisson SAS Hotel, Old Hall Street, City Centre
SuperchromebananaStephen Heaton; Lawn Creative; Lloyds AutobodyJurys InnKings Waterfront, City Centre
SuperconnectedlambananaAlison LittleBT Openzone Wireless BroadbandBritish Home Stores, Lord Street
SuperCottonwoolbananaKate BedfordBruntwoodCotton Exchange, City Centre
SuperfitbananaShape DesignLifestyles Fitness CentreMillenium House, Whitechapel
Superfive-a-daybananaVince Cleghorne; Kensington Junior Youth Inclusion ProjectNational Museums LiverpoolWalker Art Gallery, William Brown Street
SupergrassbananaStephen Heaton; Lawn Creative; Julian TaylorHill Dickinson LawyersOld Hall Street
SuperkalazarbananaEktor Diaz; Rod DillonLiverpool School of Tropical MedicinePembroke Place
Superlamba-x-ray and childDominic Foster; Ashlea Haynes; Liverpool Hope University fine arts studentLiverpool Women's NHS Foundation TrustLiverpool Women's Hospital
SuperlambananaleavesAlison LittleBrock Carmichael Architects; BCA Landscape and Project ServicesCotton Exchange, City Centre
SuperlambananatreeAmanda OliphantVirgin Trains West CoastLiverpool Lime Street station
SuperlambgranadaMark NuttallITV GranadaLiverpool One, City Centre
SuperlambswoolbananaIan TownWild in Art08 Place, 36-38 Whitechapel
SuperLawbananaClare Gammond; Jeanne-Marie KennyHill Dickinson LawyersOld Hall Street, City Centre
SuperLewis'sLamb 152Lewis's Visual TeamLewis'sLewis's Department Store
SuperLightBananaLisa Rostron; Lawn Creative; Julian J Taylor2020 LiverpoolSt George's Hall
SuperlordmayorlambananaBrian HanlonLiverpool City CouncilLiverpool Town Hall, City Centre
SuperLoveBananaAnna BensonLiverpool Registration ServicesCotton Exchange, City Centre
SuperPlazaLambananaKate BedfordBruntwoodThe Plaza, Old Hall Street, City Centre
SuperRoyalambananaKate BedfordBruntwoodQueens Arcade, Castle Street, City Centre
SuperSgtPepperYellowSubmarineBananaPaul McKayAlliance & LeicesterAlbert Dock, City Centre
SuperStudentlambananaJeanne-Marie KennyUniversity of LiverpoolBrownlow Hill
SuperWagBagBananaNook and Willow; John McNallyLiverpool City Central Business Improvement DistrictHoughton Street, City Centre
Sushi, Lamb Tempurabanana Table 5 now!!Linda BarlowSapparo TeppanyakiEcho Arena, City Centre
The Best of BritishMark GarrodCainsCains Brewery
The Loving LambAnnemarie ReadGreater Merseyside Learning Providers FederationBerry Street
The North EndClaire Stringer; Trinity RC Primary SchoolVauxhall Neighbourhood CouncilNSPCC, Great Homer Street
The Rope WalkerBDP; Shape DesignBDPSt Peter's Square
Top BananaFinch and Candida BoyesRumford Investments20 Chapel Street, City Centre
TwinkleThe Langhorne FamilyMalmaissonMalmaisson, Prince's Dock, City Centre
Twinny LambananaKECS Creative Community ArtsEuropean Year of InterculturalHope Street
United LambananaLisa Parry; Rachel TeareUnited UtilitiesAlbert Dock, City Centre
Working Towards the FutureMike Badger; St Matthew's Primary School; St Mary's Primary SchoolPortemps People Development GroupChurch Street
Yellow Superlambanana in a cage 2008UniformUniformArthouse Square
ZipJanice EgertonLiverpool Hope UniversityThe Cornerstone Building

;North Liverpool
NameArtistSponsorLocation
Blueberry BananaDebbie Ryan; Blueberry Park Primary SchoolBerrybridge Housing AssociationBlueberry School, Ackers Hall Avenue
Both Sides of the BaaasPauly Riley; students from NOCN Art ProgrammeHM Prison LiverpoolHM Prison Liverpool, Walton
Bridge-itLouise Wood; Clubmoor Youth CentreArt Valley Neighbourhood Management ServicesClubmoor Youth Centre, Larkhill Lane
CobananaCobalt Youth Board; Andrew WestonCobalt HousingLower House Lane and Utting Avenue
Fazakerly Night FeverVikAintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustAintree Hospital
FizzSharon Mutch; Fazakerley 506 Detached Youth ProjectCobalt HousingFazakerley Community Federation
It's Just a SuperlambananaHarry HarrisCommunity Justice Centre, North LiverpoolCommunity Justice Centre, Vauxhall
Peekaboo Newsham SuperlambananaAiR Associates; Communities of North LiverpoolArts in Regeneration and Newsham; Adult Learning ServicesNewsham Park, Newsham Drive
Rocking SuperlambananaAlex CorinaWild in Art; Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital Alder Hey Imagine AppealRoyal Liverpool Hospital Alder Hey
StanleyVince Cleghorne; Hugh Baird CollegeEvolve Neighbourhood Regeneration; Hugh Baird CollegeHugh Baird College, Stanley Road
Starry SunflowerAlan MurrayCosmopolitan Housing GroupOlive Mount Gardens, Wavertree
Super St. Domingo Lamb BananaCandida BoyesEverton Football ClubGoodison Park
SuperFanBananaSteve Rooney; Sue Williams; Liverpool Royal School for the BlindLiverpool Football ClubAnfield, Anfield Road
SuperConeBananaJacqueline BoylanOpen CultureICDC, Edge Lane
SuperlidbananaNicki McCubbing; Orrell Park Youth ClubAlt Valley Neighbourhood Management ServicesBlack Bull Pub, Cedar Road
TinkyNeil Keating; Alsop High SchoolLiverpool Housing TrustWalton-on-the-Hill Church

;South Liverpool
NameArtistSponsorLocation
Colours of HopeLaura Cheston; St Jerome's Primary SchoolLiverpool Hope UniversityTaggart Lodge, Hope Park
Generation 21Toxteth Learning Networks School; Roz HydeLiverpool Healthy CitiesAigburth Road
Happy FeetJulie Edwards; Hunts Cross Primary SchoolLiverpool City CouncilPark near Hunts Cross Library
LambMapBananaClaire StringerSouth Central Management Team; Liverpool City CouncilAllerton Library
PeelLisa Parry; Ben CookRiverside GroupSpeke Boulevard
SpringySpringwood Heath Primary SchoolLiverpool City CouncilSpringwood Heath Primary School, Danefield Road
SuperbeezbuzzbyawildlambananaJan Bell; Caroline HuntHLF Wildflower Heroes ProjectNational Wildflower Centre
SuperLarryLambananaMike Badger; Lawrence Community Primary SchoolRiverside GroupPicton Children's Centre, Lawrence Road
The Big HopeBig Hope delegatesLiverpool Hope UniversityThe Gateway, Hope Park
The Lee Valley CAATHolly Langley; Belle Vale and Naylorsfield Community AssociationLee Valley Housing AssociationBelle Vale Shopping Centre
TudorlambananaGateacre C.C. School; KECS CreativeFriends of Gateacre; Gateacre C.C. SchoolGateacre Village
UrbananasplashJulian TaylorUrban SplashMatchworks
World ChangerHannah MarshallFrontline ChurchFrontline Centre, Lawrence Road
Youth DivisionWade Deacon Arts Team; Sophie Backhouse; Ian TownBBC North West Tonight; Arts Council England North WestSpeke Boulevard

;Rest of Merseyside
NameArtistSponsorLocation
CloudoramaPaul CousinsLady Lever Art GalleryLady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight
Culture ChalkJacqueline BoylanThe Grange; Pyramids Shopping CentrePyramids Shopping Centre, Wirral
Flora LambananaRosalind J HargreavesWirral Metropolitan Borough CouncilBirkenhead Park, Wirral
Past Port to the FutureClair FreemanPort Sunlight Museum and Garden VillagePort Sunlight Vision Museum, Wirral
RoverCandida BoyesTranmere RoversPrenton Park, Wirral
SuperStegbananaMark Hendry; Team a-go-go; Ben CookNess Gardens; University of LiverpoolNess Gardens, Wirral
Tiger in the WoodsCandida BoyesSefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Liverpool Culture CompanyCoastal Road and Shore Road, Ainsdale

;Outside Merseyside
NameArtistSponsorLocation
LovemedoodleAdam PittVirgin Trains West CoastLondon Euston station
Smiley LambAlex Austin; Emily LansleyHalton Borough CouncilRuncorn station
The Highest SuperlambananaStudents from Flintshire and Denbighshire schoolsDenbighshire County CouncilMoel Famau Country Park
The SuperlambridgeJoanne Kelly; Emily LansleyHalton Borough CouncilRuncorn station