Photo via: Archdaily
Anish Kapoor’s tower-sculpture for London’s Olympic Park, ArcelorMittal Orbit, was slammed by critics and citizens alike when it was first launched in 2012.
Even Kapoor acknowledged its clunky features, saying: “It’s an object with all its elbows sticking out and it is slightly awkward, but I think I made it for that reason, I wanted it to be slightly awkward.”
Used mostly as a high point to enjoy London vistas since the Olympics finished in 2012, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has finally found the best use for the humongous structure, which, at 376 feet tall, is the UK’s highest sculpture.
Artist’s impression of the Orbit Tower as a slide
Photo: via @AMOrbit Twitter
From Spring 2016, the tower will be turned into a gigantic, 577-foot-long slide, courtesy of artist Carsten Höller. According to the Telegraph, the helter skelter will be suspended 250 feet above the ground and wrapped around the metal frame of the tower.
For an affordable £5 ($7.80) entry fee, users will circle around the tower five times before sliding down a 164-foot toboggan towards the ground. Not fit for the faint of heart, the ride will take around 40 seconds to complete.
Artist’s impression of the Orbit Tower as a slide
Photo: via @AMOrbit Twitter
“What more exciting way to descend the ArcelorMittal Orbit than on the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide?” Peter Tudor, director of visitor services at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, said in a statement. “This slide really will give a different perspective of Britain’s tallest sculpture,” he added.