Art, by definition, means the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. Designer Sebastian Conran’s sculpture ‘Icon’ breathes new life into the Concorde prototype by utilizing the nose of the Concorde supersonic aircraft. This part, rescued from the Concorde prototype, has been recreated as a sculpture using five tonnes of polished stainless steel, burr walnut, and bronze.
The 23-foot sculpture swivels on an Olympus main bearing and depicts the nose tilted, as it would have been during take-off. It turns on its center of gravity, allowing the piece to be displayed pointing in any desired direction.
Icon celebrates ‘the beauty of technology and man’s conquering of supersonic flight,’ according to Conran. ‘This sculpture represents years of hard work from everyone involved in bringing it to life. It was warmly received at Royal Ascot, and we look forward to its prominent position in London during this fantastic event. It’s a great feeling to know that thousands of people will soon get to experience and admire this important piece of engineering history.’ The nose was rescued by Rolls-Royce aero-engine specialists Simon Jeffs and Rob Gearing.
A private client commissioned Sebastian Conran Associates to produce a sculpture incorporating the original nose assembly from the sixth Concorde airframe, previously used as a fatigue test specimen at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough.
Concorde, a retired Franco-British supersonic airliner, was immediately recognizable owing to its tailless aircraft design and its ability to fly from London to New York in less than half the time of other airliners. The extreme cost of production is why only 20 were built, and the aircraft was retired in 2003. The incredible creation will be revealed for the first time at the Royal Ascot races this June.
