Architecture

Alex Chinneck tears a strip out of London building

Alex Chinneck tears a strip out of London building
Six pins and half a dozen needles is 20 m (65 ft)-tall
Six pins and half a dozen needles is 20 m (65 ft)-tall
View 17 Images
Six pins and half a dozen needles is Chinneck’s first permanent installation
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Six pins and half a dozen needles is Chinneck’s first permanent installation
Six pins and half a dozen needles is located on the facade of Assembly London, a group of buildings in Hammersmith including retail, dining and office space
2/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles is located on the facade of Assembly London, a group of buildings in Hammersmith including retail, dining and office space
Six pins and half a dozen needles took 14 months to develop
3/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles took 14 months to develop
Six pins and half a dozen needles is 20 m (65 ft)-tall
4/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles is 20 m (65 ft)-tall
Six pins and half a dozen needles weighs 10 tonnes (11.2 US tons)
5/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles weighs 10 tonnes (11.2 US tons)
Six pins and half a dozen needles comprises 4,000 bricks and over 1,000 stainless steel components
6/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles comprises 4,000 bricks and over 1,000 stainless steel components
Six pins and half a dozen needles was craned 75 m (246 ft) into the air to clear nearby obstructions during installation
7/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles was craned 75 m (246 ft) into the air to clear nearby obstructions during installation
"The work was conceived to engage people in a fun and uplifting way," says Chinneck
8/17
"The work was conceived to engage people in a fun and uplifting way," says Chinneck
Six pins and half a dozen needles officially opened August 1 and can be viewed now at Assembly London
9/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles officially opened August 1 and can be viewed now at Assembly London
The internal framework of Six pins and half a dozen needles is made from galvanized steel, bolted and welded to the building’s primary columns
10/17
The internal framework of Six pins and half a dozen needles is made from galvanized steel, bolted and welded to the building’s primary columns
Six pins and half a dozen needles took over 18-hours to install
11/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles took over 18-hours to install
Closeup shot of Six pins and half a dozen needles
12/17
Closeup shot of Six pins and half a dozen needles
Six pins and half a dozen needles is Chinneck’s first permanent installation
13/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles is Chinneck’s first permanent installation
Six pins and half a dozen needles is located on the facade of Assembly London, a group of buildings in Hammersmith including retail, dining and office space
14/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles is located on the facade of Assembly London, a group of buildings in Hammersmith including retail, dining and office space
Six pins and half a dozen needles took 14 months to develop
15/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles took 14 months to develop
Six pins and half a dozen needles was craned 75 m (246 ft) into the air to clear nearby obstructions during installation
16/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles was craned 75 m (246 ft) into the air to clear nearby obstructions during installation
Six pins and half a dozen needles officially opened August 1 and can be viewed now at Assembly London
17/17
Six pins and half a dozen needles officially opened August 1 and can be viewed now at Assembly London
View gallery - 17 images

British artist Alex Chinneck has built a career blending art and architecture to create works like Take my lightning but don't steal my thunder and A pound of flesh for 50p. His latest project is similarly surreal and gives the impression that some kind of disaster has torn apart a London building.

Six pins and half a dozen needles is Chinneck's first permanent installation and is located on the side of Assembly London, a group of buildings in Hammersmith that includes retail, dining and office space.

Like his other projects, it involved a lot of work. Chinneck collaborated with British engineers, steelworkers and brick layers during a 14 month development process. The installation of Six pins and half a dozen needles took place over 18-hours and it had to be lifted some 75 m (246 ft) into the air to clear nearby structures.

Six pins and half a dozen needles took 14 months to develop
Six pins and half a dozen needles took 14 months to develop

The artwork is 20 m (65 ft)-tall and weighs 10 tonnes (11.2 US tons). It comprises 4,000 bricks and over 1,000 stainless steel components. It's supported by a framework made from galvanized steel, which is bolted and welded to the Assembly London building's primary columns.

"The work was conceived to engage people in a fun and uplifting way," says Chinneck. "Although we use real brick, it was designed with a cartoon-like quality to give the sculpture an endearing artifice and playful personality. I set out to create accessible artworks and I sincerely hope this becomes a popular landmark for London and positive experience for Londoners."

Six pins and half a dozen needles officially opened August 1 and can be viewed now at Assembly London.

Source: Alex Chinneck

View gallery - 17 images
3 comments
3 comments
MerlinGuy
Gimmick architecture - my favorite! I think I saw the same type used in thousand faux adobe Mexican restaurants. Oh look, the pieces of plaster has dropped off the walls of my favorite Italian chain. How authentic.
ljaques
Gee, don't you wish that building was next door to you? <deep sigh>
Buzzclick
It's an artistic eyesore for stupid people.