Stairs from Eiffel Tower sell for 169,000 euros
Paris: A section of stairs from the Eiffel Tower in Paris sold for almost 170,000 euros on Tuesday, auctioneers announced, around three times the pre-sale estimate. More than two dozen wrought-iron steps from the original spiral structure, from between the second and third floors of the Paris landmark, were sold to a Middle East collector for 169,000 euros ($190,000) after a bidding-war in the French capital. Auction house Artcurial originally estimated the sale price to be between 40,000 and 60,000 euros. The stairs, which stand 4.3 metres high (13 foot) and were part of a private Canadian collection, date from 1889 when the legendary French engineer Gustave Eiffel built the 324-metre edifice as the centrepiece of the Paris Universal Exhibition. It soon became the most iconic feature on the Paris skyline and is France’s most visited monument despite suffering calls for its demolition in the years after the exhibition. It is still the country’s third tallest structure, and was the highest building in the world for 41 years until the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930. The stairs were removed from the tower in 1983 to make way for a lift and cut into 24 sections, ranging from two to nine metres high (AFP)
X-ray vision: Artist reveals objects’ essence in new UK museum
LONDON: X-ray images of people and everyday objects have gone on display in a new gallery in Britain, where visitors can watch photographer and artist Nick Veasey at work as he creates his revealing pictures. Process Gallery in Kent, southern England, opened this month showing Veasey’s collection of X-ray creations, including posing subjects, cars, a handbag, cameras and clothes. The gallery features an X-ray chamber where the 56-year-old creates his work using radiographic imaging equipment, allowing visitors to see the creative process. “My work is a statement against superficiality,” Veasey said. “It shows how things are made and what they truly exist of. There’s no photoshop, airbrushing, it’s just a real forensic investigation.” Veasey, whose work has been on display around the world, owns the gallery. On top of his own images, he plans to exhibit work by other contemporary artists.
Cat spent four days stranded 50 feet up a tree
LONDON: Animal rescuers in Wales teamed with a tree surgeon to help a cat that spent at least four days stranded 50 feet up a tree. The RSPCA said animal welfare officers were notified by members of the public that a tabby cat had been stranded about 50 feet up the tree in Llanrwst for at least four days. RSPCA inspector Rachael Davies responded to the scene and enlisted the help of a tree surgeon from Nant Conwy Tree Services, which declined payment for the rescue and asked people to instead donate to the RSPCA in honor of the efforts. The tree surgeon was able to reach the branch where the cat was perched, prompting the feline to leap to a neighboring tree. The cat was then able to climb back to earth on its own, the RSPCA said. “Fortunately, the cat was absolutely fine despite the ordeal, and is now safely back at home. This was a good example of partnership working in action for the benefit of our animal companions,” Davies said. (Agencies)