Ever wondered what became of the Eye? Last seen in Liverpool circa 1985, on display at the Festival Garden site, it subsequently seems to have been found face down in a field (or something), before disappearing altogether.
But now up it has popped, the original owners having tracked it down and regained legal possession; the good news is that the Eye is currently being restored to its former glory, and will then go on display. One of said owners, Bernie Cochrane, has very kindly been in touch with some fascinating photos, and here they are.
Back in 1985, the decision was taken to remove the Eye due to its rapidly deteriorating condition; apparently if they had left it in the pool, within 10 years the thing would have been wrecked beyond the point of redemption. So, out it came; the following pic shows it in the grounds at Kenwood, freshly removed:
Regular "readahs" will spot the blue attic window, also removed at this time, current whereabouts unknown:
Here, the moment when the Eye finally left Kenwood:
Being hoisted into place in Liverpool:
And in situ (Bernie on the left):
Lastly, here's Bernie reunited with it in a solicitor's office, recently:
Groovy. Bernie is currently trying to track down John's original sketch for the Eye, which apparently once resided in the collection of British DJ Mike Read, but is now also in the "Where Doth It Be?" file. Any readahs with information, please do get in touch.
More Eye to follow, at some point.
Thanks Bernie.
Terrific news on the big trippy eye!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog so much. keep up the great work!
ReplyDeletethis blog never ceases to educate me on the most amazing subjects - thank you sean! and i haven't forgotten about the tons of kenwood pics i need to scan for you.
ReplyDeleteThis is exciting news. This fascinating mural needs to be on display in a museum. I have always wondered of it's whereabouts in the last few years.
ReplyDeleteThe blue attic window was displayed in a Beatles' exhibition in London's Trocadero during 1990-1. The exhibition lasted only a few months - I have a feeling that the exhibition was hosted by the (then) owner of Kenwood. Just a thought...
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it was my father 'antonio ritrovato " that built the eye in johns pool...he would take me on sundays to help even though i was only 8/9 at the time.john would regulary walk down to the pool to chat with my father about its progress and how it was looking.it was during this time that his chauffer /gardener would walk me around at first but ended up i had a free run of the grounds and could go wherever i wanted as they got to know me..i was probably my innocence and not really having a clue about the beatles or lennon at the time,,....i recall a massive underground car park where every car and bike was black with window tints. and smack in the middle was the flower rolls royce amd i remember trying to look inthe rolls with my face stuck up to the windows.
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