Overview of The Meeting Place

The Meeting Place, located at St Pancras International train station, is not merely a designated spot for meeting friends; it stands as a striking 9-meter tall bronze statue depicting a man and woman in an intimate embrace. Designed by Paul Day, this monumental sculpture was unveiled in 2007 and has become a significant focal point amid the bustling activities of the station.

Weighing 20 tons, the bronze statue captures the essence of romance associated with train travel, standing out enough to be easily recognized from across the station, particularly when viewed near the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. The image of lovers reuniting under a railway clock is a timeless scene, enhancing the statue’s intent as a universal symbol of connection.

Development and Criticism

Interestingly, The Meeting Place is best appreciated from a distance, but taking a closer look allows visitors to admire the detailed frieze adorning the base. Added a year after the statue was first displayed, the frieze has been aptly compared to a mix of M. C. Escher and Tim Burton, illustrating scenes from the history of Tube and train travel, as well as various reunions.

Day draws parallels between these sculpted scenes and the airport reunion montage from the film ‘Love Actually’, highlighting the emotional weight of reunions after separations.

“At the airport scene, when you get all the characters together and suddenly the doors open and out come the people that have been away and you get all sorts of meetings and people being reunited. I think that is an interesting slice of life and in a way the relief around the base has to be a rich tapestry about people getting together again after being apart. All separation involves a suspended moment when one wonders is this forever?”

Originally, this frieze underwent significant redesigns to eliminate more controversial elements, including a potential depiction of a train collision. However, the final design embraces various portrayals of railway life, featuring soldiers heading to war and emergency responders at the scene of the 7 July 2005 bombings in London. Day emphasizes that,

“Tragedy in art is about creating hope out of drama, through the beauty of the image but also by going beyond the image.”

Moreover, the frieze incorporates a large pair of sunglasses, intended to serve as a metaphor for the blend of reality and imagination that defines our perceptions of life.

Artist’s Commentary

The Meeting Place has sparked debates over its aesthetic value; many see it as a beautiful representation of romance, while others consider it a clumsy addition to the historic building. Ultimately, opinions vary among Londoners, leaving it to each visitor to form their own perspective on this intriguing piece.