Business sponsorship drive for 'Larkin with Toads' launched

'Larkin with Toads' has been described by organisers today as potentially the biggest mass participation public art event Hull has ever seen.

It builds on similar successful sculpture projects in Manchester, Liverpool and Norwich, which have achieved high profiles, extensive media coverage, attracted large numbers of visitors and associated spending.

Liverpool’s ‘Superlambanana’ project generated £14-million into the local economy, which supported 1244 jobs. The city’s follow up project ‘Penguins’ which finished last month, attracted over £4.5 million of media exposure for the city.

Despite cut backs in council funding, organisers have been encouraged by enquiries from local organisations, with around 30 currently in discussion about potential sponsorship. Following today’s launch it is hoped many more will be interested to explore the exciting opportunities offered by ‘Larkin with Toads’.

Larkin25 programme director Emily Penn said: “We will redouble our efforts to raise commercial sponsorship and may have to revisit the scale of the project in line with the final funding achieved. Larkin25 is committed to delivering a programme that meets the strategic aims of celebrating one of Britain's most significant post war poets, raising the profile of the city and supporting the development of culture in Hull.”

One of the first sponsors to sign up is Princes Quay Shopping Centre. Manager Mike Killoran is very enthusiastic: “This is just the sort of innovative project we should be embracing to put the city on the map. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be just as successful here as similar projects elsewhere.

“This will drive footfall into the city over the summer. Larkin is an international arts icon and we should make the most of this exciting opportunity. We look forward to getting involved and helping to make it a great success.”

Larkin with Toads is inspired by Larkin’s poems, ‘Toads’ and ‘Toads Revisited’, – a myriad of one metre high brightly coloured Toad sculptures will populate the city for ten weeks across the summer when all eyes will be on Hull.

Larkin was a renowned animal lover, and a hard worker - his poems ‘Toads’ and ‘Toads Revisited’ take a darkly comic look at the pressures and pleasures of working life. In the first poem, Larkin compares work to a Toad squatting on his life, returning to the theme in ‘Toads Revisited’ to reflect on his more positive feelings towards work in later life.

Larkin with Toads brings Larkin’s vision of the Toad to life – the Toads will brighten up working days and holidays alike for Hull visitors and residents alike- and we hope they will inspire people to look at the poetry too!

The Toads will be unveiled officially on 17 July 2010, linking with the events surrounding the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to Hull on that day. The programme will reflect the uniqueness and specialness of Hull and its people and aims to make a major cultural splash, provoking local, national and international interest.

The Toads will ‘inhabit’ the area for 10 weeks; a map will be created to encourage visitors and residents alike to discover these unique sculptures and what is so special about the City of Hull.

The event will conclude with a grand auction. The proceeds of the auction will be shared amongst charitable funds which support causes close to the heart of Larkin and this project - supporting environmental, animal welfare and artistic projects, as well as a contribution to the Lord Mayor's Charity.

Visit these web links to view similar projects both in the UK and internationally, which provide visual examples of the concept and design quality:

www.goelephants.co.uk
www.gosuperlambananas.co.uk
www.gopenguins.co.uk
www.cowparade.com

The sculptured toad design was revealed today, produced by Chris Wilkinson of Wild in Art, who will produce the fibreglass replicas. Artlink in Hull will coordinate the decoration of the toads working with artists, designers, community groups and schools. A parallel educational programme will be coordinated by Creative Partnerships (Hull College Group)

Each unique sculpture costs £2,750 to sponsor and there is an extensive and flexible package of benefits

Organisations interested in sponsorship should contact the Larkin25 office on 01482 486540