The Ledge of Reality

I quite like some of Ron Gomboc’s work, although I’m probably not in his best books for getting She-Ra to force him to take that arse and boozie sculpture. His tribute to Heath ledger, however ends up more of an insult to the late actor than a tribute. 3 small concrete blocks? One does have the yin yang (or is that lingham and yoni?) symbol, and the others have chessboards, but Mayor Russell Aubrey’s claims of an “amazing sculpture” are a trifle overblown. Pedestrian, yes. Soulless, certainly, and unimaginative definitely, but amazing? No.

This is amazing sculpting

As is this

And this is definitely amazing

But poor old Heath gets some concrete blocks. Sad.

Heath Ledger Tribute

Heath Ledger Tribute

Heath Ledger Insult

Heath Ledger Insult

heathplaque

About AHC McDonald

Comedian, artist, photographer and critic. From 2007 to 2017 ran the culture and satire site The Worst of Perth
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63 Responses to The Ledge of Reality

  1. Grrr says:

    The only outrage here is someone standing on it, surely?

    Or that an actor (who died by his own hand, sozzled or not) is apparently worthy of some average street art.

    At least a theatre is an appropriate (if overblown) object to be named.

    Like

  2. skink says:

    I see that the yin and yang dichotomy has spread to your socks.

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  3. Juffy says:

    Hey, at least you can play chess on his tribute. Functional AND tasteless, so it’s one up on Botica’s Bunch.

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  4. Claireee says:

    And where are the chess pieces? Do you have to bring those as well as the granny gardening kneeling pad? Ripped off

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  5. Bento says:

    There’s a certain symmetry in the sculptural tribute to Heath Ledger being given more credit than it’s due.

    Heath’s as overrated as Rotto. Good riddance.

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    • shazza says:

      Bento methinks you are slipping into Howard speak a little too easily these days.

      Can I just say for the record I love Rotto. (and will be happy to supply my details should anyone from the RTA wish to send me some free ferry tickets to say thanks)

      P.S to any Ledger family members reading this thread, apologies.

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    • Bill O'Slatter says:

      Good riddance to Rotto ? Misfiring catchphrase.

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  6. Cookster says:

    So you didn’t see the plaque on the smaller block to your left then TLA?

    “Dedicated to Heath Ledger’s daughter Matilda Rose – a real chip off the old block”.

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  7. Leo Zaza says:

    Looks like it’s already been vandalised and then cleaned up.

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  8. Bri-Man says:

    I think you’re well off the mark here.
    Sure it’s humble, but so was the man;
    It’s functional, Heath was a keen chess palyer;
    It’s virtually vandal proof;
    It requires almost zero maintenance;
    It’s made by another West Aussie, paid for by his parents;
    Enjoy the view, have a glass of wine and play a game of chess.
    Just because it’s not grand doesn’t mean its not great.

    Not worst.

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    • Mmm, maybe, but there’s a difference between humble and bad. Ron’s done simple & elegant sculptures before. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

      I still question the funcionality of them as chess tables, unless you bring your own stools – and pieces.

      Vandal proof is not really at question here.

      It could still be great while not being grand.

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  9. Aileen Wuornos says:

    Where actually *is* this fuckery?
    It looks like it’s in Kings Park or something, but nearly all parks here look the fucking same, so I couldn’t be sure.

    Like

    • Groucho says:

      Could be a number of places ..
      Hamstead Heath
      Heathrow Airport
      Heath, Derbyshire
      Heathcote
      Heathen City
      Heath not here

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    • Applecross. it’s where Bondy originally wanted to build a casino.

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      • Aileen Wuornos says:

        Ah I see. That would probably make the most sense considering that his family lived there. A mate of mine who lived up the road was telling me about how fucking difficult it was to get out after he died because of all the papp.

        He gave me a piggy back ride once when I was a wee one and going to after school care at Guildford Grammar – me being an ex (and never graduated) PC girl.

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      • Groucho says:

        The old Majestic Hotel…now there was a great great building now gone…Sunday sessions on the lawn overlooking the river…damn !!!

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  10. Leo says:

    it looks like it’s made out of the same stuff they used to make toilet cubicle walls out of. a bit bleached out – could have used darker rock like granite. from the Darling Ranges etc. and it’s all hard edgey looking.

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  13. Mel says:

    They have chess boards on top because Mr Ledger was once a junior chess champion. He was going for his masters and was to direct “The Queen’s Gambit”. The quotation from a poet Kahlil Gibran, whom was a favorite of Mr. Ledgers. On the top of the block is the classic Taoist taijitu or ‘yin-yang’ symbol which represents Mr. Ledgers spiritual side.

    The Point Heathcote area was one of his favorite places as a boy. The views from where the memorial is located are spectacular, and its called Matilda bay. Like his daughter. His family put a lot of thought and love into this. RIP Heath, I was very privileged to have worked with you. You are missed and I think your family did an awesome job on your memorial.

    Like

    • Yeah, I get all that, but they’re still pretty pathetic to look at.

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    • And I think the sculptural artistic response to him being a chess player being a small lamearse chessboard is highly lacking in imagination. Cmon, even the obvious such as a giant granite chess piece would have been better. That’s really what I’m saying. If he was so fantastic, couldn’t anyone come up with something more impressive than this? It is actually terrible. i never met the dude, but I am 100 percent certain he would have liked something with just a little bit more imagination.

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  15. The Legend 101 says:

    If anyone wants to see reality in a book form pick up Striker Boy by Jonny Zucker its about a soccer playing kid. Its Boring and has no good storyline. Infact its gaint 85 Chapters of Shite if we can say that.

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  16. The Legend 101 says:

    Whats a bot Orbea?

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  17. The Legend 101 says:

    whats darch?

    Like

We can handle the worst