Engels’ Beard sculpture to be unveiled next to flagship arts building

A colossal sculpture depicting Marxism co-founder Friedrich Engels will take centre stage outside a new £55m campus in Salford to inspire the next generation of artists, musicians and performers. Engels’ Beard – a five metre tall sculpture of the social philosopher – will also double up as a climbing wall for visitors when it is unveiled as part of the University of Salford’s futuristic New Adelphi creative arts building.

German radical Engels, who founded Marxism with Karl Marx, lived and worked in Salford in the 19th century, witnessing widespread poverty in the city’s slums.

His experience formed the basis of his famous work The Condition of The Working Class in England. Engels and Marx, who went on to write The Communist Party Manifesto, were also said to have regularly drunk together in the Crescent Pub in Salford, which is still open opposite the University.

The innovative sculpture shows the social scientist’s head and distinctive large bushy beard – also allowing people to climb to a viewing tower.

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Reblogged via: Salford University website