• Mon. Dec 9th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

You ain’t nothing but a hound dog!

ByEmily

Sep 6, 2016
intu Eldon Square is one of  many regional businesses taking part in Tyne & Wear’s biggest ever mass-participation, public art event – Great North Snowdogs.
Inspired by Raymond Brigg’s classic ‘The Snowman and The Snowdog’, the Great North Snowdogs trail will see fifty nine  giant snowdog sculptures springing up around the north east, including Elvis themed ‘Hound Dog’ who will be taking up residence at intu Eldon Square on Monday 19  September for 10 weeks.
After Great North Snowdogs art installation has been completed, the large sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for St. Oswald’s Hospice.
intu Eldon Square’s ‘Hound Dog’ has been created by Liverpudlian artist Lee O’Brien, who said:
“I’m thrilled to be one of the artists working on the Great North Snowdogs trail, as I love the work of Raymond Briggs, creator of The Snowman. I’m hoping that Elvis will prove to be a very popular snowdog, and he was certainly great fun to design, that’s for sure! My own dog, 11 year old springer spaniel, Archie, was perplexed to say the least when this supersized pup came through the front door, but I think he really rated the Elvis music I played to give me inspiration! Everyone, young and old, can knock out an Elvis tune or two so I’m delighted to hear that plans are afoot to make Hound Dog’s arrival a suitably fitting Elvis tribute! I’m sure the people of Newcastle, who, like Liverpudlians, have a name for being really friendly, will take Hound Dog to their hearts! I’m hoping to make a trip up to see my creation in the heart of the city centre before he leaves the building!”
Tania Vesty, marketing manager at intu Eldon Square, added:
“We’re so happy to be one of the businesses supporting this fantastic and joyful event, and we absolutely adore our Elvis inspired ‘Hound Dog’, who we’re sure will be a big hit with our customers. Like Elvis, he’s not camera shy, so we’re guessing he will attract shoppers to ‘pawse’ for selfies and share their pics on Facebook or Twitter using #greatnorthsnowdogs. The Great North Snowdogs trail is an inspirational and innovative project that is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the region, as well as raising valuable funds for our friends at St Oswald’s Hospice, a charity which intu Eldon Square has supported for many years.”

By Emily