Planning permission has been requested for a new work of art in the shape of a human body in the River Liffey close to the Sean O’Casey Bridge. At up to 48 metres high, it will be constructed from an open latticework of steel covered with black bitumen.

Its open-weave design will allow light to permeate through and will allow visibility in all directions. Antony Gormley described it as being “like a charcoal drawing against the sky, changing as your position changes in relation to it.” The sculpture will appear different depending on where it is viewed from within the city and depending on the light levels at different times of the day and in different seasons. The work has been commissioned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

Subject to planning permission, construction is likely to start during 2008 and, once on site, the work will take approximately ten months to build. It will cost in the region of €1.6 million.

It is expected that the name of the artwork will evolve during the design and construction of the sculpture. Anyone who wishes to submit a name for consideration can do so through the Docklands website www.dublindocklands.ie or by contacting the Docklands Authority office, 52-55 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2.