Durham home buyers have stars in their eyes
Residents at a new County Durham housing development have stars in their eyes as two astronomical sculptures at the heart of their community have been unveiled by Mayor of Durham Councillor Les Thomson.
Together the community celebrated the unveiling of the artwork, from where people can view both the exact centre of the galaxy and the Pole star - in an event named ‘Centre of the Galaxy Festival with Miller Homes and Durham City Arts @ The Meadows’ at the weekend (Saturday 21 May 2011).
The collaboration between a sculptor, poet and landscaper was based on the theme of astrology, to create an artwork commissioned by developer Miller Homes as part of its percentage for Art commitment to Durham County Council’s Durham City Arts.
The festival included a procession from residents and students from Framwellgate Moor High School, who made their own intergalactic costumes including solar system hats and shooting star backpacks.
A specially commissioned dance, choreographed by Tertia Brigham and Holly Spencer from Durham Tin Arts was performed by students from the school to a newly commissioned piece of music composed by Durham University student Dan Jeffries before the astrological sculptures were officially unveiled by the Mayor of Durham.
Residents enjoyed entertainment including a planetarium, face painting, arts and crafts workshops, and a stellar programme of live music by two residents – Nigel Brown, a music teacher and co-ordinator of the Blackhall Youth Brass Band and Marcus Black, a guitar vocalist. There was a baking competition and organic treats inside a marquee.
The ‘Centre of the Galaxy Viewer’ sculpture combines a stepped seat in sand stone, shaped to form the tip of a cone, from where people can picture the circular path followed by the centre of our galaxy – where it is above ground the ‘Star Path’ rises and falls in a graceful elliptical curve.
The ‘Polaris Viewer’ is a tapered stone column, shaped at the top to point to the fixed ‘Pole star’, Polaris. Around the column is curved seating and an earth mound shaped like a comet tail.
Inspirational poetry by Gateshead-based Carolyn Jess Cooke is carved into each of the stone features by designer and sculptor David Edwick of Hexham, who worked with landscape architect Tom Robinson of Newcastle.
Star-gazers can also enjoy the seating, lawns and surrounding lavender beds. Other art elements include a special poem carved on to retaining walls throughout the development.
Miller Homes sales director Steve McElroy said: “The unique open space at The Meadows is something different to your typical play area. At Miller Homes we pride ourselves on community spirit and we therefore wanted to give something special and innovative to our community. This is a fine example of what we do when we reach for the stars for our homebuyers.
“Our plan is for this unique green space to become the heart of the development, offering a popular but tranquil spot that combines art, education, relaxation and play.”
