A strange ‘historical’ information notice has been erected on a bridge at the end of Denne Road purporting to relay how Winnie the Pooh author A A Milne came up with the idea of playing ‘Pooh sticks’ while holidaying in the area.
The ‘historical notice’ is designed in a similar fashion to a number of fake-but-funny ‘art installations’ which suddenly appeared dotted around Horsham three years ago.
At that time disused metal signposts in a pathway below The Forum and alongside Sainsbury’s in Horsham town centre became a mock culture trail with notices attached to them, depicting the ‘artist’ and a description of the ‘artwork’ in a museum-art gallery-style.
One ‘artwork’ featured a pair of old shoes placed on the top of a lamp post by Sainsbury’s with a card attached stating: ‘Artist: J Smughorne (b. 1982). Piece: The Green Shoes 2017. Canvas Upper, Man Made Sole.’
Another lamp post was classified by the mystery curator as an artwork in its own right with a card attached declaring: ‘Artist: A. Shaftspole (b. 1968). Piece: Grey Futures#2, 2009. Steel and Paint. HOMA: Horsham Objects of Modern Art.’
Now the ‘historical’ information about A A Milne appears to have been created in a similar style and attributed to HOUI: ‘Horsham Objects of Unusual Import.’
No-one has yet revealed themselves as the ‘historian.’
1. Mystery 'historian'
The mock mystery 'historic' notice in Denne Road, Horsham. Photo: Visit Horsham Photo: Gavin Hewins
2. Mystery 'artist'
Old shoes on the top of a lamp post near Sainsbury's in Horsham which were once acclaimed as 'art' Photo: Sarah Page