Anish Kapoor Calls ArcelorMittal Orbit 'Not My Best Work'

In a recent interview with The Observer, UK sculptor Anish Kapoor openly criticized his ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture in Stratford, describing it as 'not my best work.' Standing at 114.5 meters, this sculpture is the tallest public artwork in the UK and was created for the 2012 London Olympics, later incorporating a slide to enhance its appeal as a tourist destination. Kapoor noted that the engineering of the piece is 'more present than I would like.' The discussion occurred during a stroll from the Hayward Gallery, which is showcasing a significant retrospective of his art, to Tate Modern, home to his impactful 2002 installation Marsyas. He also urged a future prime minister—potentially Andy Burnham—to revitalize support for the creative sectors, which he believes were once nearly as vital as banking, cautioning against the influence of 'that orange monster in Washington,' referring to Donald Trump.