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A new icon

15th June 2010

Type: News

Categories: Love Middlesbrough News

A stunning new artwork, set to become a new icon for Middlesbrough, Tees Valley and the North of England, has been launched by its creators Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond who spoke of their love for the area and satisfaction with the finished sculpture.

Members of the public can now experience Temenos to the full. Having watched it emerge from the ground at Middlehaven Dock - in the shadow of the Transporter Bridge - they will be able to walk around it and stand beneath it for the first time.

Photo of Temenos by Stephen Gray

Temenos Photograph by Steve Grey

Temenos is a symbol

Temenos is the first of the Tees Valley Giants, a proposed series of five installations by Anish and Cecil instigated by Tees Valley Unilimited (TVU) - as a sign of the organisation's ambition for the area.

Anish and Cecil are two of the most respected names in the art world and to attract them to Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley was a huge coup.

Temenos represents a definitive statement of confidence in, and aspiration for, Tees Valley and will enhance the way in which the area is viewed and experienced.

Anish said: “I am delighted that we are celebrating the launch of Temenos which is one of the most exciting commissions that I have ever undertaken and I am particularly grateful to Cecil Balmond who has been a wonderful collaborator on the project.

“I hope that the work will become a much loved landmark in the region and will contribute to the renaissance of this wonderful area.”

Temenos was presented to the people of Middlesbrough by Steve Gibson, chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club in the presence of Ray Mallon, Mayor of Middlesbrough.

What People are Saying

Steve Gibson praised the "boldness and vision" behind Temenos as he formally presented the stunning new artwork next to the Riverside Stadium to the people of Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley.

Accompanied by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon and the artwork’s creators Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond, the Boro Chairman presented the north’s new iconic artwork in a high-profile launch attended by national and regional media together with many of the region’s movers and shakers.

After a launch and news conference in the Riverside’s Middlehaven Suite overlooking Temenos, Gibson revealed why Boro had supported its introduction.

"Middlesbrough Football Club is about more than just football," he said. "We’re part of the local economy and, more importantly, we’re part of the community.

"We see our football club as deep-rooted in the local community and if we can bring hope to the region we will try to do that.

"The town wants to be bold and visionary and that’s what this piece of work is. It puts the focus on the town and I think that’s very important at this time.

"The recession doesn’t mean the world comes to an end. Many more good things will happen in and around Middlesbrough in the years to come, I’m sure of that. For the town and area to be talked about is good news."

For many years, Boro’s Riverside Stadium stood alone on Middlehaven but the opening of Middlesbrough College and now the launch of Temenos are indicative of regeneration kicking in despite the recession.

"We’ve been lonely here at Middlehaven but progress is now being made," said Gibson. "Middlehaven is an ongoing project and it has a way to go. It may take many years but the introduction of art such as this can only help."

Asked about Temenos itself, Gibson welcomed the fact that the sculpture was already causing much debate.

"It’s controversial, it’s very different and people are going to talk about it," he said. "Some people will like it and I’m sure some people won’t like it. Everyone will have their own opinions and rightly so.

"I think the people of Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley will warm to it. I think it complements the Transporter Bridge. The artist is world-renowned and it is a great stride forward for the area to have his work installed here. "

Ray Mallon, Middlesbrough Mayor, described the launch of Temenos as "an extremely momentous occasion", explaining that the town "has to compete with every town and city by being different".

He added: "It reminds me of strength. It’s a signature and it’s got a real wow factor. It is a coup for Middlesbrough to have a work of this nature at the heart of the town. It’s a great addition to the town’s skyline and will be enjoyed by the people of the town and visitors for a long time to come."

Kapoor revealed that he hoped Temenos would become "a much loved landmark in the region" and that it would "contribute to the renaissance of this wonderful area".

Balmond added: "Temenos transforms the landscape and I hope it will shape its own iconic power, along with the Transporter Bridge, to be a signal for a renewed Middlesbrough.

"I hope the people of Middlesbrough will come to feel the same passion for and pride in Temenos that the experience for their other world famous landmark, the Transporter Bridge."

Temenos: information

• It is just under 50 metres high and almost 110 metres in length.

• 5.1 milles of stainless steel cable was used in the sculpture.

• There are 64 long cables and 49 hooped cables held together by 3,136 clamps.

• Temenos weighs 156 tonnes.

• Its cost was £2.7 million.

• The artist Anish Kapoor is also behind the 9/11 memorial at Ground Zero in New York, while he and Cecil Balmond were recently commissioned to design the London 2012 Olympic sculpture.

Temenos was secured for North East England by Tees Valley Regeneration (now Tees Valley Unlimited) with funding from government initiative, The Northern Way, Regional Development Agency One North East, the Homes and Communities Agency and key partners, the Arts Council England, Northern Rock Foundation, BioRegional Quintain, Middlesbrough Football Club and Middlesbrough Council.

Temenos: The Making Of

Download: Temenos Map

Temenos Map - A Guide to Temenos and How to Find It

Learn of Temenos, a giant amongst art works. Featuring additional artworks, where to stay and eating out options while exploring the art of Middlesbrough.

About Tees Valley Unlimited

Tees Valley Unlimited focuses on regeneration, inward investment and place-making activities to help the five boroughs that make up Tees Valley (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland) achieve social, economic and cultural success.