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Notes
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The relief is carved from a solid block of perspex, said to be the largest solid block of acrylic in the world. It was originally commissioned by Stanley Kubrick for use as the monolith in his 1968 film '2001: A Space Odyssey', but Kubrick eventually used an opaque plywood structure painted black. The sculptor obtained the unused perspex block when MGM's Borehamwood studio closed in 1970. The block was carved onsite and mounted inside the colonnade of the 'Coronarium Chapel'. Designed as an open-sided 'chapel' to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, its eight Doric columns were salvaged from one of the warehouses that were demolished during the docks’ redevelopment. It is said to be on the site of the original Church of St Katharine that was demolished when the docks were built.
Title
Silver Jubilee Crystal Crown
Date
1977
Medium
perspex
Measurements
H 175 x W 328 x D 20 cm
Accession number
E1W_AM_S629
Work type
Relief
Work status
extant
Unveiling date
5th June 1977
Access
at all times
Inscription description
inscribed letters on a metal plaque underneath the crown: The Silver Jubilee Crystal Crown / was sculpted on this site by Arthur / Fleischmann KCSG, FRBS, MD, who / pioneered carving in Perspex. The block / measures 10'9" by 5’9” by 8" thick and / weighs two tons. It is the largest solid / block of Acrylic in the world. It was originally made in 1968 for Stanley Kubrick's / film "2001 - A Space Odyssey", but was / rejected by the director in favour of the / now famous black basalt monolith. / Her Majesty the Queen unveiled / the sculpture on June 5th 1977 / ST KATHARINE Docks