People are to get the chance to decide the future of a much-loved children’s slide which was previously a popular feature of Stirling’s Thistles Shopping Centre.
The iconic Spider Slide has been moved to new premises at Creative Stirling’s arts hub in King Street where it is open to the public.
Creative Stirling has been working with the Thistles to bring the much-loved spider slide out of hibernation.
Plans for the spider’s future have caused a stir over the last two weeks with people visiting the arts hub to view it as part of an exhibition. And children have been bringing their ideas of how it could be re-designed to give it a modern twist.
Opinion has been split on the best way forward for the popular structure. Now the public have to decide if the slide should remain as it is or if it should be transformed.
Paul Jenkins, head creative and curator of Made in Stirling, said: “I’ve been totally blown away by how this much-loved Spider has divided opinions and sparked the creativity of the community.
“What was originally an arts project to bring the spider out of retirement and bring it into the 21st century, via a bit of a makeover by one of the artists from within the Made In Stirling Stores’ community, has now become about whether or not to give it a new lease of life at all.”
The judges have been chosen – including the team from the Thistles, curators from the Creative Stirling team, Caroline Mathers from the Smith Art Institute, and Karen Bellingham, the chair of Mercat Cross and City Centre Community Council.
They have to pick from hundreds of children’s designs which can be seen strewn across the walls of the gallery at Made in Stirling.
However, the judges now have a difficult task on their hands as strong nostalgic feelings are
coming to a head as a new generation of children experience the spider slide, accompanied by those who enjoyed it when they were young.
With two weeks to go until the end of the exhibition, the design competition entries are mounting up in the gallery and votes can be cast with a love heart ‘like’ on the side of ‘remaining plain’ or opt for the ‘creative makeover’.
At the time of going to press, voting remained close with those still to vote being urged to go to 44 King Street to do so.
Ruth Currie, the place partnership manager for Stirling who helped organise the exhibition, says: “Since beginning my job in Stirling I haven’t witnessed so much interaction with a piece of art and the sense of ownership the community feels over the spider.
“Originally designed as a sculpture not as a piece of playground equipment, Steve Hoffman the original designer should feel so proud he has brought about so much joy and passion to Stirling.”
The team behind the exhibition are also asking the public or members of other communities to get in touch to find the Spider its new home.
Interest or ideas can be expressed by contacting @creative_stirling or @madeinstirlingstore on Twitter.
Voting on whether or not the slide should receive a makeover closes on Saturday, October 26.
