The Quantum Leap

The Quantum Leap is a sculpture situated next to the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom. It was created to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of evolutionist Charles Darwin, who was born in the town in 1809. The sculpture was unveiled on 8 October 2009 by Randal Keynes, a great-great-grandson of Darwin. DetailsThe Quantum Leap is the main point of a 'Geo-Garden', converted from Mardol Quay Gardens on the town centre bank of the Severn. In addition to Darwin himself, it celebrates Shropshire's geological diversity due to the county containing 10 of the 12 geological periods. Darwin interested himself in geology during his Shropshire childhood. The sculpture is 12 metres (40 feet) high, 17. 5 metres (57 feet) long, and weighs more than 113 tonnes, excluding foundations and piles. The work is abstract, and due to its Darwinian theme is commonly interpreted as representing dinosaur bones, DNA, or a backbone. In local media, often in a negative sense, it has been nicknamed 'The Slinky' due to its perceived similarity to the coiled-wire toy. It was designed by Sutton Coldfield-based architectural firm Pearce & Lal, who revealed their design in July 2008. Architect Ranbir Lal, of Pearce & Lal, stated "It is a privilege to work on a memorial to Charles Darwin. We hope that the sculpture we have designed in his memory expresses the vitality and range of his ideas, and brings them alive to the people of modern-day Shrewsbury. "

The Quantum Leap is a sculpture situated next to the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom. It was created to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of evolutionist Charles Darwin, who was born in the town in 1809. The sculpture was unveiled on 8 October 2009 by Randal Keynes, a great-great-grandson of Darwin. DetailsThe Quantum Leap is the main point of a 'Geo-Garden', converted from Mardol Quay Gardens on the town centre bank of the Severn. In addition to Darwin himself, it celebrates Shropshire's geological diversity due to the county containing 10 of the 12 geological periods. Darwin interested himself in geology during his Shropshire childhood. The sculpture is 12 metres (40 feet) high, 17. 5 metres (57 feet) long, and weighs more than 113 tonnes, excluding foundations and piles. The work is abstract, and due to its Darwinian theme is commonly interpreted as representing dinosaur bones, DNA, or a backbone. In local media, often in a negative sense, it has been nicknamed 'The Slinky' due to its perceived similarity to the coiled-wire toy. It was designed by Sutton Coldfield-based architectural firm Pearce & Lal, who revealed their design in July 2008. Architect Ranbir Lal, of Pearce & Lal, stated "It is a privilege to work on a memorial to Charles Darwin. We hope that the sculpture we have designed in his memory expresses the vitality and range of his ideas, and brings them alive to the people of modern-day Shrewsbury. "