File:Signifying nothing.jpg

English: 17 February 2007. Once there was a sign (or signs?) here. But not for many a year.

Despite many improvements at Tottenham Hale Station forecourt, this pointless pair of columns has been the same since at least 2002.

But because so many years have passed, one of them, the Leaning Column has acquired a new status — as a part of our history. As such, it should be considered an important local monument.

It is significant for another reason. Any art expert passing through Tottenham and glancing out of their train window instantly recognises this is Found Art. Or in the terms announced to the world by the artist Marcel Duchamp, it is le ready-made. An objet trouvé or Found Object

Sadly, as Marcel Duchamp died in Paris in 1968 he was prevented from visiting Tottenham Hale railway station and enjoying the column. Nevertheless it is still a fitting replacement for our "Lost Art" (objet perdu) the Bridge of Signs — which, thankfully, was drained of water, dismantled and removed.

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§ The Leaning Column through the march of time. Photos from 2002 and 2006. § March 2008. Will the Leaning Column be listed by English Heritage? § July 2010. London Buses added helpful signage. § December 2010 - Column not defaced by winter's ragged hand. § July 2011. Then there were two. § A set showing all all my photos of the famous Leaning Column. § Colonna Pendente di Tottenham Hale. Machine translation page for Italian visitors.

§ Nico Hogg's 2004 photo of the Bridge of Signs.