Return of the Floozie in the Jacuzzi after six months in storage

In the autumn of 2021, work began to restore the River and Youth fountains in Victoria Square. By October 2021 the Floozie in the Jacuzzi was removed to storage (The River) as well as the other statue (The Youth). As of early April 2022, the Floozie is back, but as of yet, the fountains haven't been turned on, as workmen are working round the clock to get it finished.

If you want to see our existing Floozie in the Jacuzzi posts, click the links below:

Floozie post, November 2020

Floozie post, September 2019

River and Youth, 1993 by Dhruva Mistry was installed during the 1992-94 works to regenerate Victoria Square (it was opened by the late Diana, Princess of Wales). The Floozie in the Jacuzzi is the bronze female statue at the top known as 'The River', while the pair of children at the bottom was 'The Youth'.

September 2021

Fences start to go around the River and Youth stepped area, with the Floozie still at the top.

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie RTN Vic Sq 22092021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

October 2021

The last time that you could see the Floozie in the Jacuzzi was back in October 2021. Days after this, she would be removed to storage. This was also before the return of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market in November. The Floozie getting one last bath from the rain.

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie Vic Sq rain 02102021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

December 2021

Last few days of 2021, and there is now scaffolding and a white plastic wrap around the site of River and Youth. The bronze statues are now in storage for a couple of months now. Colourful hoardings up with the Be Bold Be Birmingham slogan, and facts about the Floozie in the Jacuzzi, ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Be Bold Be Brum Floozie Vic Sq 28122021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Be Bold Be Brum Floozie Vic Sq 28122021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

January 2022

Still the white plastic wraps and scaffolding around the River and Youth site in Victoria Square, as well as the Be Bold Be Birmingham hoardings, as work continues to repair the fountain, that has been leaking on and off since 2008.

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie repairs Vic Sq 21012022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

April 2022

On April Fools Day, the basin of The River, has days to wait before the goddess returns to sit in her beloved bath. The stone balls and the basin of the upper pool are visible again, but there is still fences around the site.

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Youth basin Vic Sq 01042022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

She is back! On the 7th April 2022, the Floozie is back in her Jacuzzi! But the site is still a Public Realm works site, and workmen are still putting the finishing touches to the repairs. But we don't yet know when they will turn the fountain back on. Lets hope it never leaks again! While 'The River' is back, 'The Youth' part of the sculpture has not yet been reinstalled in the lower basin.

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie returns Vic Sq 09042022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie returns Vic Sq 09042022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Floozie in the Jacuzzi" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie returns Vic Sq 09042022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown.

The River Tame: Brookvale Road Flood Wall in Witton

The River Tame in Witton used to flood when the river level was high due to heavy rain, so the Environment Agency decided to build flood walls on Brookvale Road. This took place around 2015-16. There are various words on the wall. A flood gate was installed at the Atlas Bridge. These works continue to Perry Barr.

BROOKVALE ROAD FLOOD WALL, RIVER TAME, WITTON

Heading out from Witton Station on Witton Road at midday on Tuesday 22nd March 2022. It was a sunny early spring day.

I was aware of these walls from over a year ago, while doing the River Tame feature.

Never got around to checking them out until now.

The flood wall starts on Brookvale Road, and you can't see the River Tame from the opposite pavement.

There is various words written on the wall, as you will see below.

It reads something like "BARRING RIVER ENLIVENING TAME MEANDERING RIVER REFORMING TAME FORGING RIVER POOLING TAME SEEKING RIVER MELDING TAME TRAVERSING  RIVER MEANDERING TAME".

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

RIVER ENLIVENING

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

REFORMING

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

SEEKING RIVER

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

TRAVERSING RIVER

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The flood wall splits at the red Atlas Bridge, which also has a flood gate.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

TAME POOLING

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

TRAVERSING TAME

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Views of the River Tame alongside the Brookvale Road Flood Wall, The railings above them are quite high.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This direction towards the Holford Industrial Estate.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This direction towards the Atlas Industrial Estate.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Yew Tree pub is on the left on Brookvale Road in Witton.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View towards Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Iron: Man returns to Victoria Square

Sir Antony Gormley's Iron: Man had been in storage since September 2017 until late February 2022. Initially to make way for the Westside Metro extension past Victoria Square. With Public Realm works going on before the Commonwealth Games, they have installed Iron: Man outside of the Town Hall. Unveiled on 8th March 2022 by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Council Leader Ian Ward.

Iron: Man Returns

It has been almost five years since anyone had seen Sir Antony Gormley's Iron: Man. Removed to storage back in September 2017. This was to make way for the Westside Metro extension, built from 2017 until 2019 (Grand Central Tram Stop on Stephenson Street to Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square).

But in the years since then, we have asked the question: Where is the Iron: Man?

That was in 2020, then no news at all in 2021. Then out of the blue overnight between 23rd and 24th February 2022, photos emerged online (from Midland Metro Alliance) of Iron: Man being back.

Photos taken on the 28th February 2022

Iron: Man with Big Brum and BM & AG

dndimg alt="Iron: Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AG IronMan Vic Sq 28022022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Iron: Man, Queen Victoria statue and 103 Colmore Row

dndimg alt="Iron: Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AG IronMan Vic Sq 28022022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

West Midlands Metro trams, Victoria Square House and the Iron: Man

dndimg alt="Iron: Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AG IronMan Vic Sq 28022022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo taken on 3rd March 2022

Iron: Man and the Town Hall

dndimg alt="Iron: Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Iron Man Vic Sq 03032022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken on 5th March 2022

Iron: Man and the Town Hall on a busy Saturday afternoon

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Iron Man Vic Sq 05032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Iron Man Vic Sq 05032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Iron Man Vic Sq 05032022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Iron: Man and the Council House in Victoria Square on a busy Saturday afternoon

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Iron Man Vic Sq 05032022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken on 9th March 2022

The day after West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Birmingham City Council Leader Ian Ward officially unveiled the statue. But Sir Antony Gormley was unable to attend.

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Iron Man Vic Sq 09032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Iron Man Vic Sq 09032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photos taken by Elliott Brown 

Wondrous Stories for the Birmingham 2022 Festival in Centenary Square

Rehearsals were taking place on Saturday afternoon, around 4pm on the 5th March 2022. For the Birmingham 2022 Festival. An event called Wondrous Stories will take place on the evenings between 17th and 20th March 2022 in Centenary Square. Saw four people abseiling in different directions. They have taken over the Reflective Pool.

Wondrous Stories is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, in the months leading up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Free and unticketed event is scheduled to take place on the evenings of: 17th March 2022 at 7pm. Then from the 18th to 20th March 2022 at 6:30pm and 8:30pm.

A spectacular open air show featuring Motionhouse's professionally trained dance-circus company, alongside a mass cast of hundreds from Critical Mass, Freewheelin Dance Company, Motionhouse Youth, Sampad and DanceXchange.  Led by Artistic Director Kevin Finnan MBE. 

The show features additional choreography by Jamaal Burkmar (Extended Play, Phoenix Dance) and Sonia Sabri (Sonia Sabri Dance Company), live spoken word performance from Coventry and Birmingham-based artists Raza Hussain and Sebbie Mudhai, and digital projections by Logela Multimedia. Birmingham’s Choir With No Name sing to an uplifting soundtrack by Sophy Smith and Tim Dickinson, and designer Sophie Donaldson leads Birmingham City University students in costume creation, making this a magical collaboration of talent.

Produced by Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces.

Rehearsals were taking place on stages installed on the Reflective Pool in Centenary Square on Saturday afteroon, around 4pm, 5th March 2022.

dndimg alt="Wondrous Stories B2022" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wondrous Stories B2022 Fest 05032022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Wondrous Stories B2022" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wondrous Stories B2022 Fest 05032022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Wondrous Stories B2022" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wondrous Stories B2022 Fest 05032022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Views below taken from the Discovery Terrace, Level 3 at the Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Wondrous Stories B2022" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wondrous Stories B2022 Fest 05032022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Wondrous Stories B2022" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wondrous Stories B2022 Fest 05032022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown. Some words above taken from Motionhouse.

Gaia: Earth Art Work at Millennium Point

Gaia is a sculpture of the Earth, which is located at Millennium Point in Eastside, from 1st February to 28th March 2022. Luke Jerram's Gaia Exhibition is touring the world. Next stop Switzerland. But first enjoy it in Birmingham, UK! Elliott poped to Millennium Point on 2-2-2022.

Gaia is an art installation by the artist Luke Jerram. From the 1st February to 28th March 2022, visitors to the foyer in Millennium Point in Eastside, can see a giant spinning model of the Earth.

It features NASA imagery of the Earth's surface. 

If you stand 211 metres away, you can see the Earth as if you are seeing it from the Moon. 

Pretend that you are an Apollo astrounaut on the Moon between 1969 and 1972.

See it from the balcony, or see it from underneath, or from the escalators or lifts.

dndimg alt="Gaia Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gaia MP 02022022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gaia Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gaia MP 02022022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gaia Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gaia MP 02022022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gaia Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gaia MP 02022022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gaia Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gaia MP 02022022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gaia Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gaia MP 02022022 (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown