Memorial day - 42

The subject of Memorial day 35 was "Waterfall" by Antony Donaldson, located in Shad Thames.

From Shad Thames, you can pass through any one of a number of narrow alleyways to get to the Thames riverside. Walking east, you will come to a sculpture by Eduardo Paolozzi, located outside the Design Museum.

The large bronze abstract sculpture of a head resting on its side, stands on a wooden plinth. At the base of the head is a quotation by Leonardo De Vinci

Though human genius
its various inventions
with various instruments
may answer the same end
it will never find an
invention more beautiful or
more simple or direct than
nature because in
her inventions
nothing is lacking
and nothing superfluous.

Eduardo Paolozzi was born in Scotland in 1924 of Italian parents. He studied at both the Saint Martin's School of Art and the Slade School. He became Sir Eduardo Paolozzi on receiving a knighthood in 1989. He died aged 81 in 2005.

Memorial day - 35

Walking east along The River Thames south bank after passing City Hall, the Mayor of London's office, you come to Tower Bridge.

At this point most tourists climb up the steps to cross the bridge. But if you pass under the bridge, you'll see before you Shad Thames. More of an alleyway than a road looking like a canyon bounded by old warehouses interlinked by bridges.

Fifty years ago, this would have been a hive of activity with cargo ships unloading in the Pool of London. Now the warehouses are converted into apartments (you can rent a 2 bedroom apartment for US$1000 per week). But rather than looking straight ahead, look diagonally towards the right, you will see Horsleydown Square, Tower Bridge Piazza. In the centre stands the work of art commissioned by Wickham and Associates in 1988.

The bronze sculptor Waterfall by Antony Donaldson depicts nubile young ladies playing in a pool. The work of art appears more realistic when seen on a warm summer day rather than a cold February day. Their deportment seems so natural, they are having fun . One of them rests by the side of the pool completely uninhibited drying her body in the sun.


The great joy of this work of art is enhanced by the minute detail of the items, cast in bronze, scattered around the pool's edge: a Nikon SRL camera, mouthorgan, ballet shoes, watch, Walkman cassett and books.