Monday 11 Jul 2011
BIG ART HITS BIRMINGHAM
- Region & Route:
Regenerated and Network Rail have unveiled Birmingham’s largest outdoor art installation on a site near to New Street station.
The location on Hill Street was previously a bare, uninspiring wall covered in green mould.
After an approach from Regenerated and Birmingham City Council, Network Rail has worked with local artists and students from King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy to transform the space into a showcase for local artistic talent.
Katie Moran from Regenerated said: “Birmingham has a fantastic wealth of artistic talent and Network Rail has given us a great opportunity to showcase this. By supporting Regenerated in this project, Network Rail is not only engaging local communities in the redevelopment of New Street station, but is also contributing to the image of Birmingham as a vibrant, creative and inspiring city.”
The artists and students were briefed to create work inspired by the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station and focus on the themes of movement, regeneration and the reflection of the stunning stainless façade which will wrap around the redeveloped station.
Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council commented: “The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street will not only produce a world class station, it will also have a huge impact in transforming the environment around Hill Street and the south side of the station. In the meantime, we’re delighted that Regenerated, with help from Network Rail, has been able to produce what will be a fantastic asset to the city’s cultural scene.”
Peige Smith, a student at King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy, said: “I have really enjoyed working on the project, especially working with the artists, as they helped to develop our original design and I’m pleased with the work we’ve completed. I’m excited to have had this opportunity and would love to have the chance to work on a project like this again.”
The art will be displayed for the next 18 months until the completion of the first phase of the New Street redevelopment at the end of 2012 when a new station entrance will open on Hill St.
Notes to editors
Regenerated is a local project which taps into Birmingham’s wealth of creative talent to produce works of art in areas of redevelopment. By pairing young people with professional artists, Regenerated enables young people to become involved in the regeneration of Birmingham.
Regenerated asked the artists who have worked on this project to create work based around the themes of movement, regeneration and reflection. Each artist has interpreted this brief in their own individual style, using separate and wide-ranging influences and inspirations.
More information and background about the artists and art at Hill St can be found at www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk
The Birmingham Gateway project is supported by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Centro, Advantage West Midlands and the Department for Transport.
Network Rail is delivering the project alongside its delivery partner, Mace.
The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street will double passenger capacity, improve access down to the platforms and improve pedestrian links across the city. The project will deliver:
- a concourse that is three-and-a-half times bigger than at present and enclosed by a giant, light-filled atrium
- more accessible, brighter and clearer platforms, serviced by over 40 new escalators and over 15 new public lifts
- a stunning new station façade
- better links to and through the station for pedestrians, with eight new entrances
- the stimulus for the physical regeneration of the areas surrounding the station
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