Ainscough aspires in Nottingham

The tallest piece of freestanding art in the UK was lifted into place by Ainscough Crane Hire last month.

A pair of Liebherr telescopic mobile cranes was used to position Aspire on the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus in the English Midlands. It stands taller than the Angel of the North near Newcastle and Nelson’s column in London.

Ainscough was contracted for the lift by Watson Steel Structures Limited, manufacturer of the 60 m sculpture. The 500 and 200 tonne capacity cranes lifted the sculpture in three sections onto a concrete plinth. Heaviest of the lifts was 22 tonnes.

Architect Ken Shuttleworth designed the £800,000 (US$1.6 million) Aspire that was designed to represent academic ambition.