In 2006, during the final stages of the redevelopment of St Pancras station in London, the state-owned London and Continental Railways decided to commission a sculpture to stand under the historic clock there. One of the architects involved in the project suggested Paul Day’s name, which resulted in the artist being invited to collaborate. A short time later, in November 2007, the sculpture was ready. The Meeting Place was officially unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II.
History and architecture of St Pancras
St Pancras Station, since 2007 known as London St Pancras International, is located in the Camden area of Euston Road. The site was built by the Midland Railway Company as the terminus of its service to the north of England. The decision to build the station came after logistical difficulties that arose during the 1862 World Exhibition, which was held in London. The design for the new station was drawn up by English engineer William Henry Barlow. The iron roof spanning the platforms was one of the largest structures of its kind built throughout the 19th century. When St Pancras station opened in 1868, the canopy was an impressive 210 metres long, 73 metres wide and over 30 metres high.
Recognition of the new complex
An integral and most phenomenal part of the complex was the insanely luxurious Midland Grand Hotel. The neo-Gothic, almost palatial edifice was designed by British architect George Gilbert Scott, responsible for such projects as the redevelopment of Westminster Abbey. The station complex has received widespread acclaim both in Britain and abroad. Travellers and Londoners appreciated its fine architectural features and modern solutions. The building is now listed as a Grade I listed building on the Heritage Register.
The threat of demolition and the fight to save it
The turbulent times of the 20th century threatened the existence of St Pancras station on several occasions. The building was damaged by aerial bombs during both world wars, and there were even plans to demolish it in the 1960s. The reasons for this were the poor condition of the station and neighbouring hotel, the declining importance of the station and low attendance, and grand plans to modernise the whole district. However, thanks to the efforts of the Victorian Society and individuals such as Jane Hughes Fawcett and John Betjeman, this decision was reversed. Landmark status was granted to the building ten days before the planned demolition.
Modernisation for the 21st century
A major refurbishment of the outdated station was carried out in the early 21st century. The £800 million work was aimed at transforming the station into a terminal for high-speed trains, with services including the Channel Tunnel. The grand opening of the refurbished facility took place in November 2007 with Queen Elizabeth II in attendance. After reconstruction, the station gained 15 platforms, a shopping area and a bus terminal. Today, St Pancras is regarded as one of London’s iconic pieces of Victorian architecture.
The Meeting Place – a new sculpture at the station
The culmination of a major redevelopment of the station was the creation of The Meeting Place sculpture by British sculptor Paul Day. The 9-metre-high, 20-tonne bronze composition stands at the southern end of the station’s upper level, just below the historic clock. The work depicts a couple embracing each other and symbolises the emotions of farewells and returns that are characteristic of rail travel. The work was intended, according to the author, to ‘capture the spirit of romance associated with travel’, to be an internationally recognisable icon and close to the travellers who could identify with it. Due to the tight schedule, the realisation of the sculpture took place in two stages. The statue itself was set up before the station was officially opened, while the plinth with the frieze was still being created over the next 18 months. Interestingly, the figures depicted in the sculpture are the artist himself and his wife.
Mixed reactions from critics
The cost of realising The Meeting Place is estimated to be around £1 million. Despite its impressive scale and its placement in a prominent station location, Day’s work has received a mixed reception. Some critics accused it of being too superficial and sentimental. Sculptor Antony Gormley described the sculpture as tacky, writer and art historian Tim Marlow called it kitsch and artist Jeremy Deller questioned any artistic value.
The controversial frieze and its reinterpretation
There was also considerable controversy over the design of the frieze adorning the plinth, which originally featured a scene of a figure falling under an oncoming underground led by the Grim Reaper. Paul Day explained the composition as a metaphorical depiction of the human imagination, but decided to change the design after criticism. The final frieze depicts scenes related to the history of St Pancras station and the daily lives of travellers, including a drunken man staggering past a train, a man trying to take his life for love, soldiers going to the front during the First World War and scenes of evacuation after the London Underground bombings on 7 July 2005. The artist created this frieze to add a narrative and realistic layer to his work – a counterpoint to the large, romantic couple above. The piece surrounding the plinth is full of life, small stories and details that stimulate curiosity and invite you to look closer and even touch the figures in the scenes.
The Meeting Place – a sculpture that has gained the public’s affection
Despite a number of negative reviews from the art community, the sculpture eventually gained sympathy and popularity among travellers and tourists. In 2011, The World’s Most Romantic Spots guidebook published by Lonely Planet recognised St Pancras as one of the world’s most romantic meeting places, citing The Meeting Place as a key element of this assessment.
Source: stpancras-highspeed.com, pauldaysculpture.com
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