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Writer's pictureDave Goble

80 Out of Order

Updated: Feb 28

How embarrassing for the poor sod who leaned on the nearest of these old phone boxes and caused this. Or perhaps, worse for drink, thought he had.


And so we have it: Twelve toppling / toppled telephone boxes – in the iconic red of old.


This art installation appeared on Kingston’s Old London Road in 1989, fitting well into an area home to many of the town’s quirky independent shops, bars and cafes. Apart from being briefly removed for refurbishment, (basically a clean up and paint job), for their 30th anniversary in April last year, they have stood here ever since, and become an attraction in the town, as well as appearing on postcards and posters of it.


"Out of Order"


The work of Scottish sculpture David Mach, who used to lecture in the Sculpture School at Kingston University, and says of this piece: “It's one of my best outdoor sculptures. 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.”

Personally I don’t really get that, but I think the sculpture is quite interesting.


Imagine someone being stuck inside one of them


David Mach, clearly waiting for a free phone booth


Red arrow: David Mach sculpture "Out of Order"

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