Sunniside Hosts Key Note Speeches at North East Festival of Architecture

Two internationally renowned artists involved in Sunderland’s regeneration will give talks at the city’s latest award-winning development as part of this year’s North East Festival of Architecture.

Presented by Sunniside Partnership and Sunderland arc, artists Bill Fontana and David Cotterrell will address audiences at thePlace business and arts centre in the regenerated area of Sunniside on Tuesday June 23 and Thursday June 25.

Installation artist David Cotterrell has been extensively commissioned to carry out innovative projects across the globe, most recently working in Afghanistan as the Ministry of Defence’s war artist.

His work relating to inner city urbanism led to a commission by regeneration company Sunderland arc in 2005 and a project that engaged with disused sites in the city - highlighting a forthcoming 15-year regeneration plan for the area.

The project involved the launch of a US military balloon over Galley’s Gill in Sunderland, projecting disembodied shadows moving through different areas of the city. The shadows involved different community groups from across Sunderland including school children and taxi drivers, who were filmed patrolling areas such as the National Glass Centre and Sunniside Gardens.

What emerged from the project was documented in a book – Searchlight - which will be launched at this year’s Festival as part of a talk by the man himself on Tuesday June 23 at 6pm. The event will hear David speak about his area of highly influential work with an opportunity to reflect on its role in Sunderland’s journey of regeneration.

David, who is Professor of Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University, said; “The project illustrated how public art can animate and activate wasteland and highlight the transition of the area.

“The book celebrates the risk and uncertainty of the project, drawing attention to unresolved questions being explored by Britain’s public art community.”

Bill Fontana, whose talk takes place on Thursday June 25 at 6pm, is an American composer and artist who has developed a global reputation for his pioneering experiments in sound. Since the early 1970s Bill has used sound to interact with and transform people’s perceptions of visual and architectural spaces.

He is currently working with Sunniside Partnership to create an exciting sound installation in the city, reflecting the natural and maritime environments of Sunderland. The work will form part of further public realm improvements in Sunniside, the historic quarter of Sunderland City Centre, which will follow on from the success of the award-winning Sunniside Gardens.

Ben Hall, director of Sunniside Partnership, said: “Creativity and innovation play a pivotal role not just in the cultural life of a city but also its economic future. David’s Searchlight project laid the foundations to attract work of considerable interest and quality into Sunderland such as that of Bill Fontana.

“We are delighted to be involved in this year’s Festival, providing a rare opportunity for others to spend an evening with two, highly influential and pioneering artists, who have and are playing such an important part in the city’s transformation.”

To book a place at either of the talks email bookings@northernarchitecture.com or phone Northern Architecture on 0191 2602191.

For more information on the Festival visit www.nefa.org.uk