Wind farm debate highlighted in Blyth artwork

Jan 15 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THE debate over the use of wind power is being highlighted by a piece of art in a town which plays a leading role in the technology.

Blyth is well known for its harbour wind farm and offshore turbines. It is also home to the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) , which is helping to develop wind power expertise.

Last night the town saw the unveiling of a piece of artwork which benefits from wind power.

Newcastle-based artists Jamie Allen and Laura Harrington switched on CURRENT, which uses an 11-metre wind turbine to power LED lights installed on the front of the new beach chalets on the seafront.

The stronger the coastal wind, the greater the lights’ activity will be. Surplus electricity will supply the interior lighting and domestic appliances in the chalets.

The artwork was commissioned by public art and design body Inspire Northumberland for Blyth Valley Council – now Northumberland County Council – and delivered in collaboration with Keith Dillon of IDP Architects and Southern Green Landscape Architects.

The proposal was developed in consultation with Screen and Forster, South East Northumberland and North Tyneside Regeneration Initiative and Narec.

Artist Laura, 29, said: “The work is a coming together of the relationships being developed at Blyth. The massive wind turbines out there, moving gracefully and authoritatively across the horizon, are both functional and beautiful.