It’s may not be quite as well known as the London Eye or The Shard. But over in Kingston, you’ll find a London landmark that makes both of those seem like new landmarks on the block. The ‘Out of Order‘ installation – which consists of twelve tumbling telephone boxes – has been in place on Kingston’s Old London Road since 1989.
It certainly shouldn’t be overlooked. After all, what’s more quintessentially British than a red telephone box? The piece was created by David Mach – one of the UK’s most successful artists, and a former lecturer at Sculpture School in Kingston. He’s known for his large scale collages and sculptures that are dotted all over the world. But this one is particularly special to him.
Mach has previously said of the installation: “I love these boxes and isn’t it funny that even in these times and although they were removed from the British landscape, I feel they still bind us as a nation.”
The iconic installation (which is said to have cost around £37,000) is truly beloved. In 2019, to celebrate the sculpture’s 30th birthday, it received a freshen up and a nice new lick of paint. Kingston also threw a big street party in honour of the iconic installation.
You’ll find David Mach’s ‘Out of Order’ sculpture on Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1QP.