Why does it exist?
The sculpture was commissioned to celebrate Manchester's successful 2002 Commonwealth Games, and is located outside the City of Manchester Stadium at SportCity, now home to Manchester City Football Club.

Why is it called 'B of the Bang'?
It's named after Olympic Gold medalist Lynford Christie's statement that he always left the starting blocks on the "B of the Bang".

Claim to fame?
It's the tallest sculpture in Britain, rising 184 feet above the ground and tilting at an angle ten times greater than the Leaning Tower of Pisa (it's also 10cm taller). It's made up of 180 solid steel spike-shaped columns, each 7 feet long. One of which fell off a few days before the official opening.

Pardon? Isn't that dangerous?
I would have thought so. Man City fan and poetic/annoying (delete as appropriate) commentator Stuart Hall has said, "I hate it. It cost £1.5m and spikes are falling off it already and will eventually kill someone. The money could be more wisely spent. I really don't see the point of it. It doesn't do anything."

Fair enough. What about the lighting?
A simple scheme from Philips was designed to accentuate each spike by creating shadow and to ensure that the sculpture could be seen from a mile away. By positioning banks of six luminaires at the four 'corners' of the structure all the sculpture is highlighted.ÊA mixture of SON (orange) and white light was used to provide contrast and modelling. Eight were placed on the front two 'corners' to give further definition. Cannons were used to reduce any potential glare on nearby roads and pedestrians. These were mounted on columns to reduce any vandalism issues.

What do you think?
Always a big fan of public art, we think it's a brave attempt to make a bold statement about the dynamism of Manchester...

Shut up you nonce...
29 years.

What?
Nothing... for 29 years... (just a City being crap joke - Red Ed)

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