August 10, 2008: War of the Worlds

xoxoxoBruce · 08-10-2008, 03:02 AM

Woking, England, is H.G. Wells’ hometown, and the area in which the first martian "Cylinder" landed, in Wells' War of the Worlds.
In 1998, to celebrate the centenary of War of the Worlds, Michael Condron built this 23ft high sculpture of the "Tripod"

Next to the tripod, is the "Cylinder", and there are also 11 types of bacteria represented by designs on surrounding stones,
some of which continue up the legs of the "Tripod".

Woking seems to be a stable business town (city?), of 91,000, but doesn't look to me like much of a tourist destination.
I think the "Tripod" is a cool thing to have in the middle of town, but I wonder if this art, in itself, will draw a lot of tourists to Woking?

Neatorama points to this link

xiphos · 08-10-2008, 12:05 PM

They could've made it look a lot cooler, but I loved the book and next time I'm around Woking I'll check this out.

birdclaw · 08-10-2008, 12:06 PM

Sure doesn't look like much of a tourist attraction to me. It doesn't look like much at all really.

Ibby · 08-10-2008, 12:34 PM

Ulla!

DanaC · 08-10-2008, 02:25 PM

I doubt it's so much a tourist attraction, as it is a piece of artistic branding and an exercise in civic pride. The area will attract its share of tourists because of WotW, and little details like that help add to the atmosphere. Mainly though, this sort of thing is usually about the feel good factor for the citizenry. I wouldn't be suprised if it had lottery funding.

ZenGum · 08-11-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

I doubt it's so much a tourist attraction...

You mean it isn't woking yet?

SPUCK · 08-11-2008, 03:49 AM

I like it, though I don't remember the original cylinders..

I would've liked the new WOW better if it hadn't had Tom Cruise ruining it. The effects were great. The original chilling assault was great too.

Sundae · 08-11-2008, 05:28 AM

Wow!
I think it's fantastic - in both meanings of the world.
Good for them.

I agree with Dana, this has nothing to do with tourism. It's a Woking thing for Woking people.

I love how massive it looks in the first picture. That's how big it should be - it should loom, and dominate and terrify. I can understand why they scaled it down though

Hertzie · 08-11-2008, 06:04 AM

All I can say is that had better turn into a street light at night

sweetwater · 08-11-2008, 07:40 AM

It would make a perfect place for a security camera, but I think it's whimsical. If not a tourist attraction, then at least it is a photo opportunity for any who pass by.

08-10-2008, 03:02 AM	#1
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	August 10, 2008: War of the Worlds Woking, England, is H.G. Wells’ hometown, and the area in which the first martian "Cylinder" landed, in Wells' War of the Worlds. In 1998, to celebrate the centenary of War of the Worlds, Michael Condron built this 23ft high sculpture of the "Tripod" Next to the tripod, is the "Cylinder", and there are also 11 types of bacteria represented by designs on surrounding stones, some of which continue up the legs of the "Tripod". Woking seems to be a stable business town (city?), of 91,000, but doesn't look to me like much of a tourist destination. I think the "Tripod" is a cool thing to have in the middle of town, but I wonder if this art, in itself, will draw a lot of tourists to Woking? Neatorama points to this link __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-10-2008, 12:05 PM	#2
xiphos Bryan. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jupiter, Florida Posts: 63	They could've made it look a lot cooler, but I loved the book and next time I'm around Woking I'll check this out. __________________ "Imagine closing your eyes, and then once you open them, everything you took for granted was not." - Chuck Schuldiner

08-10-2008, 12:34 PM	#4
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	Ulla! __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

08-11-2008, 07:40 AM	#10
sweetwater lives inside a Mobius strip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,120	It would make a perfect place for a security camera, but I think it's whimsical. If not a tourist attraction, then at least it is a photo opportunity for any who pass by. __________________ I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque! - Bugs Bunny

08-10-2008, 12:06 PM	#3
birdclaw putting the "g" in flight Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 145	Sure doesn't look like much of a tourist attraction to me. It doesn't look like much at all really.

08-10-2008, 02:25 PM	#5
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I doubt it's so much a tourist attraction, as it is a piece of artistic branding and an exercise in civic pride. The area will attract its share of tourists because of WotW, and little details like that help add to the atmosphere. Mainly though, this sort of thing is usually about the feel good factor for the citizenry. I wouldn't be suprised if it had lottery funding.

08-11-2008, 03:49 AM	#7
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	I like it, though I don't remember the original cylinders.. I would've liked the new WOW better if it hadn't had Tom Cruise ruining it. The effects were great. The original chilling assault was great too.

08-11-2008, 05:28 AM	#8
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Wow! I think it's fantastic - in both meanings of the world. Good for them. I agree with Dana, this has nothing to do with tourism. It's a Woking thing for Woking people. I love how massive it looks in the first picture. That's how big it should be - it should loom, and dominate and terrify. I can understand why they scaled it down though

08-11-2008, 06:04 AM	#9
Hertzie Fellow-Commoner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 10	All I can say is that had better turn into a street light at night

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