A collection of art works are on display in the Harold Cohen and Sydney Jones libraries, including the specially commissioned Signature Piece and the Adagio sculpture.
All art works within the University Libraries (apart from the Signature Piece) form part of the University’s Art and Heritage Collection, the main collection being housed in the Victoria Gallery & Museum.
The Signature Piece is a specially commissioned work by the University Library and can be seen above the clock on the ground floor of the Abercromby Wing.
Primarily a piece of artwork in itself, it can also be viewed on several other levels. The signature itself is Liverpool and is the signature of Lord Liverpool (Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, 7 June 1770 – 4 December 1828).
As with many artworks, some people have taken on board aspects never intended in the original conception. The placing of ‘Liverpool’ in the vertical position, for instance, has been interpreted as ‘Liverpool on the up’, reflecting the ongoing regeneration taking place within the city.
This is how Lord Liverpool’s signature is more conventionally viewed. A potted biography of Lord Liverpool can be found on the British government website.
Adagio is a 30ft kinetic sculpture created by the silversmith Marianne Forrest. Adagio is a 30ft kinetic sculpture created by the silversmith Marianne Forrest. The sculpture is displayed in the Harold Cohen Library Silent Study Room, and is switched on every Friday between 16:00 and 16:30. Please note that it is not switched on during the January and May examination periods. We recommend that you contact the Library prior to making a special visit to see it.
Adagio is located in the Harold Cohen Library in the large first floor Silent Study Room.
History
The Adagio Sculpture was commissioned by the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and installed directly onto the back of the main stage in 1995. When the refurbishment of the Philharmonic Hall was completed in 2014, the decision was made not to re-install the sculpture.
Emeritus Professor Peter Goodhew successfully campaigned for the re-installation of the Adagio at the University of Liverpool. This was a challenge since the piece is 9.2 metres across and weighs more than 150 kilos. The sculpture is made of aluminium, glass, reinforced plastic, copper and silver leaf.
The central horizontal wave form moves slowly and serenely creating a gentle rocking and swirling action. Its movement is controlled by the lighting levels.Observers have noted that they can see the profile of a face, a horse and waves in the sculpture.