Plans for stunning public artwork at Hadrian's Wall unveiled
26 Jul 2022 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival has unveiled plans for a contemporary large scale public artwork that celebrates 1,900 years of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site
Coming this Summer, APERTURA by Ed Carter, Nicky Kirk and Tony Broomhead is an interactive sonic sculpture set in the picturesque setting of Northumberland National Park's, Walltown Country Park.
After months of development this unique installation is being described by organisers as an evocative intervention in the landscape.
From Friday 26 August to Sunday 11 September visitors can experience a sound sculpture made up of 1900 copper wind chimes that creates an evolving soundscape the everchanging breeze.
Inspired by the World Heritage Site and the stunning landscapes of Northumberland National Park, APERTURA will frame, and provide a new viewpoint to this section of Hadrian’s Wall, inviting audiences to experience a constantly changing, interactive spectacle of shimmering light and sound.
The free to attend artwork, funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority, will encourage people to come together in a shared physical space in order to engage, celebrate and listen. At the heart of the project is the opportunity to engage with local, regional, national, and international audiences, opening conversations about Hadrian’s Wall as an inspiring cultural bridge, rather than a static geographical border.
As part of the project the team is engaging with local communities to contribute to the artwork by designing their own sails, which will be added to each wind chime, bringing the piece to life. Public sessions will be advertised via the website and any groups that are interested in taking part can email info@hadrianswall1900.co.uk
Jane, Lady Gibson, Chair of Hadrian’s Wall Partnership said:“APERTURA is an artwork that interprets this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site within a contemporary context, the location providing a monumental platform to shape a cultural dialogue about togetherness, and commonality. We can't wait to invite visitors from around the world to come and celebrate this special event”
APERTURA is being delivered by a team led by Gateshead based artist Ed Carter who has been collaborating with Nicky Kirk and Tony Broomhead for over 20 years. As individuals and working collaboratively the team have delivered a number of high profile artistic, architectural and temporary projects locally, in the UK and internationally.
At the end of the installation period, the temporary suspended chimes will be given to local schools and community groups as sets of wind chimes, to ensure the work creates a legacy from the 1900th anniversary that remains in the local communities of Hadrian's Wall
Ed Carter said: "The history of Walltown Country Park provides the ideal context in which to explore the ideas behind this piece of work. The quarrying work has left a large opening in a central section of Hadrian’s Wall, offering a tangible analogy for the notion that “openings mediate between the worlds separated by architectural barriers” (Rudolph Arnheim).”
Tony Gates, Chief Executive Officer of Northumberland National Park Authority said: "Northumberland National Park is delighted to be hosting Apertura at Walltown Country Park. The site is one of our most accessible locations, with wheel friendly routes and a Changing Places facility within the visitor centre, making it possible for a wide range of people to enjoy the installation in the landscape over the summer."
Individuals, groups, venues and organisations along the length of the wall are being encouraged to get involved and be part of this incredible year by visiting https://1900.hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/ and submitting their own activities to the programme.
The HW1900 Festival programme to date is available to view at https://1900.hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/
The North of Tyne Combined Authority is a partnership of three local authorities: Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, and Northumberland County Council and the North of Tyne Elected Mayor.