'Health & Safety Violation' at St Saviour’s & St Olave’s School

Ben Woodeson, known for deliberately dangerous sculptures including 33,000 ball bearings on a floor, has created Health & Safety Violation #19: Super Scary Spinning Thing in a windowless room.

Metal weights on cord are spun from the ceiling. Visitors to the room must sign a form and wear a hard hat and goggles.

According to Ben Woodeson his works are intended to challenge the viewer and the exhibiting institutions.

"The bottom line is that some of them sound more dangerous than they are. Some
of them are very dangerous.

"Spinning plumb bobs? Are they actually more dangerous? You can walk through them. You are wearing a hard hat. It's pushing the boundaries.

"We all have this personal level of risk which we are willing to accept. Some people go bungee jumping or rock climbing. Other people knit."

On preview night there was a queue of visitors for the protective headwear.

"Is it a game? Have I got to dodge?" asked one nervous viewer.

"Personally, I'd avoid getting hit by them," advised the artist.

The installation is in the Tank Room next to the main school entrance in Bartholomew Street and can be viewed by appointment. Contact: [email protected]