Panopticons is a series of four sculptures in Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale in Lancashire, England. They are part of an arts and regeneration project of the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network managed by Mid Pennine Arts. The large scale outdoor sculptures were commissioned, designed and constructed over a six-year period.[1][2][3][4]
| Panopticons | |
|---|---|
Panopticons in Blackburn, the Borough of Burnley, the Borough of Pendle and the Borough of Rossendale | |
| Artist | Various |
| Subject | Panopticon |
| Location | Lancashire |
| Website | midpenninearts |
The Halo in Haslingden, Rossendale was the last sculpture in the series to be erected, in September 2007. Plans for a similar sculpture in Accrington were never realised.[5][6] One artist's impression showed a different design.[7]
Pantopicon sculptures
editThere are four sculptures in the Panopticons series:
The Atom in Pendle
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Set in the landscape of Pendle, the Atom was designed by Peter Meacock, Andrew Edmunds and Katarina Novomestska of Peter Meacock Projects. It was launched by Mayor of Pendle, Councillor George Adams, with Anthony Wilson and designer Peter Meacock, on 22 September 2006.[citation needed] The bronze coated glass fibre reinforced concrete structure provides both a work of art and a viewing point and shelter from which to enjoy the surrounding landscape.
Part of this sculpture, the metal ball inside, has since been vandalised and removed.[citation needed] Atom is located at 53°50′59″N 2°05′48″W / 53.8496°N 2.0968°W.
Colourfields, Blackburn
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Colourfields in Blackburn is a collaboration between Jo Rippon Architecture and artist Sophie Smallhorn. The design uses the former cannon battery in Corporation Park as its base. Colourfields was launched by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Dorothy Walsh, on the 14 June 2006. It's situated at 53°45′27″N 2°29′51″W / 53.7575°N 2.4976°W.
Haslingden Halo, Rossendale
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The Haslingden Halo is an artwork set on the expended landfill site (or "top 'o' slate") overlooking the town of Haslingden in Rossendale, positioned to be clearly visible from the M66 motorway and A56 road approach to Lancashire. It is located at grid reference SD791236. The Halo was the fourth and final Panopticon to be constructed in Lancashire, and was launched in September 2007.
The Halo is an 18m diameter steel lattice structure supported on a tripod five metres above the ground. The core is open at the top, framing views of the sky. It is lit after dark, using low energy LEDs powered by an adjacent wind turbine, and glows a sky blue colour, giving the effect of hovering above the town. It was designed by John Kennedy of LandLab. The Halo in Haslingden has been controversial due to associated maintenance costs and tree felling.[2]
Singing Ringing Tree, Burnley
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The Singing Ringing Tree is a musical sculpture overlooking Burnley. It was designed by architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu of Tonkin Liu, and constructed from pipes of galvanised steel. Singing Ringing Tree was launched by the Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Mohammad Najib, JP, and designers Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu on 14 December 2006. The sculpture is located at 53°45′23.90″N 2°13′37.99″W / 53.7566389°N 2.2272194°W.
References
edit- ^ Anon (2024). "Panopticons, New landmarks for the 21st century". midpenninearts.org.uk. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017.
- ^ a b Anon (2005). "Haslingden Halo: 66 questions council should have asked: council bosses have been asked questions over their decision to approve the controversial Halo panopticon". rossendalefreepress.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021.
- ^ Anon (19 September 2006). "Item No. D7: Halo Panopticon" (PDF). rossendale.gov.uk. Rossendale Borough Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2006.
- ^ Herbert, Ian (16 August 2008). "High art in Lancashire:One man and his dog leave the city behind to take in a view of the Pennine's panopticons -four new hilltop landmarks that are enchanting a growing number of visitors". independent.co.uk. The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ Anon (10 March 2005). "'Tide turns' on landmark". lancs.live. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021.
- ^ "Firm 'no' to earthwork on Coppice". www.accringtonobserver.co.uk. 3 March 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ "Coppice is stunning exactly as it is ..." www.accringtonobserver.co.uk. 3 February 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2017.