David Breuer-Weil’s Alien became a much-loved London landmark; it is even pictured on the Welcome Board at Luton Airport. When located in Grosvenor Gardens by Victoria Station, tourists could be seen taking its photo and Londoners used Alien as a sunbathing spot or backrest while they lunched.
Five times the size of the average person, this monumental work has really captured everyone’s attention and affection. Now Alien is landing in a new home. From Monday 7 September Alien will be at the National Trust’s beautiful property Mottisfont in Hampshire.
David Breuer-Weil commented, “I am delighted for my large sculpture Alien to have landed at Mottisfont, where there have been visitors for over 800 years, dating back to the 13th century. My visitor is an Alien from another world, another culture, representing contemporary life where visitors can arrive not just from other cultures but also from other spheres. I want to surprise the viewer here with the shock of recognition. Alien is another version of ourselves. I am happy for this moment of recognition to take place in the remarkable environment of Mottisfont, with its rich texture of history and physical beauty.”
“We’re really excited that Alien is going to be sited here for the next year”, said Louise Govier, Visitor Experience Manager and curator of exhibitions at Mottisfont. “It will work well in our grounds, where there’s room to catch a glimpse of it from afar and come to investigate. I think our visitors will be intrigued by this monumental figure who appears to have fallen to earth, who doesn’t belong and yet seems to have taken root.”
The massive scale of the work helps portray the emotions expressed and heighten the drama of its presence. Alien is executed in the loose sculptural style that is the hallmark of Breuer-Weil’s monumental pieces. The work is scaled up from an originally much smaller maquette and the finger prints and marks of the artist have also been scaled up. This means that the work – as well as its subject – appears to be the consequence of some greater, gigantic being. The surface of Alien will also be familiar to anyone who has seen Breuer-Weil’s work in recent years as it is marked across all over with his graffiti musings and doodling. Amongst these marks can be found the name of his grandfather who, in part, inspired the work, as well as a portrait of the Kaiser of Nerac, who rules the imaginary world where many of Breuer-Weil’s paintings and other works find their inspiration.
Breuer-Weil believes that every human is a fallen angel in some sense. Alien brings together these contemporary and timeless themes. The textured dynamism of the bronze makes the figure seem alive as the human form radiates between raw physicality and emotion.
Mottisfont is a romantic house and gallery set in beautiful riverside gardens in the village of Mottisfont, near Romsey. As well as the house and gardens (known for its internationally famous collection of old fashioned roses), the property also has a 1,645 acre estate and ancient woodland.
Mottisfont’s art gallery, set on the top floor of this former medieval priory, is well established as an arts venue in the south east. It carries on the traditions of Maud Russell, the property’s last owner, a patron of the arts who invited many artists here for relaxed country weekends and to make new work. Mottisfont presents five exhibitions of 20th century and contemporary art throughout year. For more information, see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont.
Opening Hours: Mottisfont is open every day except 24th and 25th December, from 10am to 5pm (or dusk if sooner). Normal admission prices apply (free to National Trust members).
