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Temenos news

2nd February 2010

Type: News

Categories: Love Middlesbrough News

Giant rings that form the main structure of Temenos, the world-class sculpture being created for Middlesbrough have been lifted into place.

Residents are seeing the huge installation, by internationally acclaimed sculptor Anish Kapoor and leading structural designer Cecil Balmond, take shape before their eyes.

The massive rings were brought to the site in sections and were fitted together for the huge task of setting them in place. Thousands of metres of steel wire are now being woven between the rings to form the finished sculpture.

The elliptical ring measures 28 metres by 16m and the large ring 32m. They will be 110 metres apart – the length of the massive art work.

Photo of ring being brought into place by John Buchan

Temenos Ring being brought to the site

Photo of wiring in progress by John Buchan

Temenos in progress photo

The Artists

Two of the most sought after names in the art world, Anish and Cecil, are known for the monumental scale of their work. Their works can be seen in prominent locations around the globe including New York, Chicago and Beijing.

Anish has been in the international spotlight recently after being given a solo exhibition at the Royal Academy – one of the highest honours an artist can receive.

Anish Kapoor said “This is a major milestone in the development of Temenos. Working in collaboration with Cecil Balmond, the project is a meeting of art and engineering which is very appropriate for the Tees Valley with its great engineering past.”

Public Art and Regeneration

Tees Valley Regeneration’s Middlehaven project director Sean Egan said: “Lifting the rings into the correct positions is a huge task in its own right but once they are in place people will be able to see for the first time the truly amazing scale of the artwork.

“Temenos – as well as the wider concept of the five Tees Valley Giants by Anish and Cecil - were well- received by the people of the area, even though public art is often a contentious issue.

“Residents were delighted that we secured the cash to bring this project to the Tees Valley and that the money did not go to the usual big city recipients.

“The ambitious plans for the regeneration were also welcomed by the forward-thinking people of our area and we look forward to delivering even more of what was promised when market conditions improve. Middlehaven is already home to an award-winning £70m college, as well as fully occupied office space with more on the way.”

Councilor Dave Budd, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for regeneration and economic development, said: “The vision and ambition for Middlehaven is huge, so it’s fitting that the first stage of what will be the world’s biggest ever public art project should be at this key site.

“Anish Kapoor is an artist of international renown whose recent exhibition at the Royal Academy in London has garnered rave reviews.

“To have a piece by him at the heart of Middlesbrough’s regeneration, on this scale, is therefore a major coup for both Middlesbrough and the region as a whole.

“This latest engineering feat will give the people of Middlesbrough their first real impression of how this breathtaking sculpture will transform the town’s skyline.”

Neil Graham, head of capital development at One North East, said: “It is exciting to see this ambitious project taking shape.

“Middlehaven is one of the key regeneration schemes in North East England and Temenos is helping to put the site on the international map.”

Pat Ritchie, regional director of the Homes and Communities Agency, said: “Temenos will be a world class landmark feature, signalling the transformation of Middlehaven.

“Our investment in reclaiming and preparing the site has made it possible to bring jobs and learning to Middlehaven, and we are working hard to bring new homes to the site in the future.”

Virtual Tour of Temenos related video courtesy of Journal Live

Temenos: Facts and figures

Temenos is located at the north-eastern corner of Middlehaven Dock, Middlesbrough (one of Tees Valley Regeneration’s flagship redevelopment schemes).

Temenos will cost £2.7 million
Work on Temenos will be completed in Spring 2010
Temenos is just under 50m high and almost 110m in length
The circular ring is 32m diameter and weighs 56 tonnes
The elliptical ring is 28m by 16m and weighs 24 tonnes
The mast is 45m tall and weighs 56 tonnes
Temenos will use 8200m (5.1 miles) of stainless steel cable weighing 20 tonnes
In total it will weigh 156 tonnes

Temenos is funded by government initiative The Northern Way, Regional Development Agency One North East, the Arts Council England, the Northern Rock Foundation, Middlesbrough Football Club and BioRegional Quintain.