March 23rd 2010 - LIPA

The building in the background of this photograph is part of LIPA - Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts, or Paul McCartney's 'Fame' School, as it is often affectionately known. Macca, of Beatles fame, returned a few years back to save his crumbling old secondary school, The Liverpool Institute, and turn it into a prestigious school for performing arts. It now has university status and offers degree courses in music, theatre and dance studies. Competition for places is fierce, with thousands of talented students auditioning from across the globe for a place. In the foreground is part of one of my favourite pieces of public art, 'A Case History', or 'Suitcases' by John King, a collection of 27 concrete casts of cases, all with luggage labels bearing the names of famous Liverpudlians/those with a connection to the city. The guitar case shown here is based on Paul McCartney's case. A great place to sit, climb and ponder those who have passed through this great city