Media Centre

Benchmark of success!: 14 July 2009; A lasting reminder of European Capital of Culture will be installed in Merseytravel’s Queen Square Travel Centre – a true “bench” mark of a special year.

Colin Powell was one of only three winners of a European Capital of Culture creative challenge, called Benchmark, for members of the public to create a piece of public furniture.

His “All Together Now” Bench was chosen from more than 550 entrants and its installation was funded by Merseytravel as part of its ambitious public art programme.

Benchmark was run under the Open Culture banner, a project that aims to get more people creating culture, rather than just consuming it, and has been supported by the Liverpool Echo .
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Open Culture is led by Phil Redmond who said: “We set a creative challenge – it wasn’t just to be a simple bench. It’s a cultural resting place, something to sit on, reflect, read, or just watch the world go by.”

The Benchmark project aimed to uncover and profile local talent, with the winning entrants being offered the unique opportunity of seeing their bench designs become a reality, adorning Liverpool as a lasting legacy of 2008.

Colin’s concept is playful and celebrates the positivity, humour and camaraderie of the people of Liverpool, hence its title; “All Together Now”.

The design uses recycled plastic for the seat, with profile cut stainless steel figures for the legs.

Colin said: “After working within the constraints of the design industry for many years I saw the competition as a fantastic opportunity to give a simple piece of furniture a sense of fun and playfulness and some real personality, something which I think I have managed to achieve.

“I really wanted to focus on the great characteristics of the people of Liverpool. They have a great sense of humour and a great sense of togetherness. So I hope people sit together on it and smile.”

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, added: “The legacy of Capital of Culture year is alive through our public art programme and we are continuing to do what we can to make people`s journeys that bit more interesting. The fact that this was a public competition and we have helped turn someone`s creative ideas into reality is even more special.”

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, said: “As an organisation we recognise the importance of art, culture and accessibility to the city. We were delighted to support this project and, through our public art programme, we are looking at a number of ways we can bring more life and creativity across the transport network.”

B Rourkes and Co Ltd, a Lancashire based manufacturer, constructed the All Together Now bench, continuing its long term relationship with Liverpool.

Company Director Barrie Ogden said: “We are delighted to continue our long term relationship with the City of Liverpool, having manufactured the Paisley Gates and more recently elements of the New Liverpool Museum.

“This design competition has resulted in some very exciting concepts that we are very pleased to be involved in bringing to reality. Being a resident of this City I really appreciated the chance to work on a project that was both unusual and interesting.”; Back to Media Centre