Six pins and half a dozen needles: Installation by Alex Chinneck in London

The "Six pins and half a dozen needles" work of art in west London has now been completed.  Placed 20 metres high and weighing about 10 tons, the sculpture is the first permanent installation by British artist Alex Chinneck and has been mounted out of 4,000 bricks and a stainless steel framework. The artist required a year's collaboration with engineers, steelworkers and brick makers to accomplish the task. 

Alex Chinneck admits that although real bricks were used in the sculpture, it was primarily "a cartoon-like quality" that he wanted to achieve – something that would be humorous and easily understandable to all. The artwork was commissioned by property developer AXA Investment Managers/Real Estate for a new urban complex made up of offices, retail units and restaurants in four new large buildings.  The artwork, which resembles a torn sheet of paper, is to recall the site's past use: the building housed publishing facilities before its conversion.