Published at 11:06, Thursday, 31 May 2012

WHITEHAVEN Civic Hall has an exciting new look – thanks to a new installation by artist Del Whitticase.

Del has used all six frames along the top of the Civic Hall building to make one single image.

He said: “I wanted to do this in order to create the illusion of looking through six windows onto a separate space behind the end wall of the Civic Hall. The space is open, clean, clear and accessible and represents a new space within the town of Whitehaven.

“The design refers specifically to the architecture of the Civic Hall. The blocky, angular design of the building is directly referenced in the piece. This helps to make the work as specific and relevant to the location as possible.

“As the artwork was going up it drew several comments from passers-by and that is what we want. The whole idea of public art is that people interact with it and it arouses some response in them.”

The Civic Hall is owned by Copeland Borough Council. Councillor Hugh Branney, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and youth, said: “Public art plays an important role in helping to make a location distinctive.

“As a council we are keen to encourage as many people as possible to engage with art in all its guises whether it is on the side of a building, in a gallery or displayed in a shop window.

“The artwork on the Civic Hall is striking and is bound to draw a reaction from passers-by.

“Del is no stranger to Whitehaven and Cumbria. He has worked on several projects with us now including an artist in residency, and as lead artist on projects at the West Cumberland Hospital and the Project Shed Community Project in Millom.”

The first exhibition in the Civic Hall’s new Ennerdale Studio and Scafell Lounge will be celebrated today (Thursday).

The Our Side of the Fence exhibition features photographs of the Mirehouse community by Rob Frazer. They were taken as part of Copeland Borough Council’s Pathways to Art project and feature many local residents, from children to pensioners, clergymen to police officers.

See The Whitehaven News next week for full coverage.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk