Giant Spider Invades England

Giant spiders, right in downtown London! Hide the children! Well, okay, it's just one giant spider and it's made of bronze, stainless steel and marble. And it's a tribute to the artist's mother. No, really. It's called Maman.

LONDON (Reuters) - A giant spider took up residence on the banks of the River Thames on Wednesday, but Arachnophobes can relax — it doesn't bite or even move.

The nine metre (30 feet) high and wide creature is made of bronze, stainless steel and marble and is the creation of renowned artist Louise Bourgeois.

Created in 1999 and named Maman in tribute to the artist's mother, its appearance outside the Tate Modern art gallery is the first time it has been on display outdoors in Britain.

"The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver," the 95-year-old Bourgeois said in a statement.

"Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother," she added.

French-born Bourgeois is regarded by many as one of the most important artists working today.

According to some other sources, Reuters has it wrong. The piece was designed in 1999 but not actually cast until 2001. But here's a few pictures of Maman visiting Ottawa. And Maman visiting the Guggenheim. And here we see Maman getting a light snack.