Dipesh Gadher
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Rail passengers at London’s St Pancras International station are to be greeted by a work of art depicting a commuter falling into the path of a train driven by a Grim Reaper figure.
The macabre image will appear on a bronze relief frieze at the base of The Meeting Place, the 30ft statue of an embracing couple.
Paul Day, the sculptor, said he was trying to be “truthful” about the human condition and described his images as “a celebration of life”. London & Continental Railways, the station’s owner, said it wanted the work to be “a talking point”.
The frieze has been condemned by families of rail suicide victims and transport unions. Last year almost 200 people took their own lives on Britain’s railways. Paul Smith, whose daughter Rosie, 18, threw herself in front of a Tube train last August, said: “It’s insensitive.”
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Some people will like it, and some people won't like it and there may be some people who get very upset by it. The thing is, it's in a public place so if you don't want to see it, you don't have a choice.
Jude, London,
I would need to see the WHOLE work before commenting ... and it's context in the station. In princible I have no objection and certainly encourage the debate and freedom of the artist and the station to display.
Damian, London, UK
It's irresponsible, to say the least. Such art can be highly suggestive to depressed riders and really unpleasant for everyone else. Anyone in favor of this probably needs to have his/her own morbid mind examined.
Carol, NY, USA
i have no problem with the art itself - art imitates life... death, the human condition. however, the location is poorly chosen - of course art has a place in the public sphere, but a train suicide at a train station?
Marco, Kraków, Poland
I agree with Robert from Manchester - its very poor taste.
The last thing we should do in this disastrous economic climate is suggest ways to end your life; especially as many people who are about to lose their jobs would see this image daily.
A positive invitation to commit suicide for some.
Annie Hancock, Bath, UK
Ah, mon dieu! Is Breetish humour, non?
john problem, Hackney Wick, UK
does everything have to have so much meaning implied, especially trying to deal with such a sensitive and emotional topic as suicide. like the myra hindley picture in the olympics, this art misses the sense of place. keep it light and fresh and uplifting. its a station, not an academic paper
Dr Smith, London, UK
i think this is a great idea - will make people think.
the world isnt all cute and cuddly. its harsh and difficult and art is meant to challenge.
if you don't like it then i guess its kids books for you for the rest of your life
jce, hathern, uk
Maybe the commuter felt the same frustration as I did last january when I arrived from Paris - couldn't find the Exit. Locked Exit doors, no signs pointing to alternatives. Two different luggage cart systems, so we couldn't retrieve our coins.
peterhenley, Washington DC, USA
"insensitive" is it? Perhaps we should have some cute bronze bunnies instead.
mym, London,
I do think this is in poor taste, upsetting for many people and the last thing you want to see just before boarding a train or the Tube.
Robert, Manchester, UK