CURRENT, a new public artwork at Blyth beach

by Laura Harrington and Jamie Allen

Location: Blyth Beach
Time/Date: 14th January 2010, 17:00 - 19:00

You are invited to join us on 14th January 2010, 5 - 7pm to view the artwork, enjoy light refreshments and a walk on the beach.


Blyth Beach is an environment of understated beauty.  The wind, sea, sand, and sky here are all insistent and uncomplicated: a harmony of potent natural forces. 


CURRENT incorporates illuminated elements along the front and rear cheeks of the new beach chalets. A number of cedar slats, which clad the huts are replaced with white LED lighting. When the sun goes down, the power of the coastal winds is transformed into a subtle flickering of these embedded lights.  Overall brightness gives an indication of the current wind speed immediately in front of the huts.  The greater the wind activity, the greater the activity you'll see in these lighting elements. The very feeling of wind against your face will be echoed and seen visually within the work.  A micro wind turbine is installed to the west of the chalets, and this system provides all the energy required to drive the artwork.  Excess energy from the turbine, not used for illumination, is used for interior lighting and domestic appliances in the chalets.


The new beach chalets were designed by Keith Dillon from Idp Architects for Blyth Promenade, Blyth Links. The design of the artwork was developed in consultation with Screen and Forster, SENNTRi and Narec (New and Renewable Energy Centre).


CURRENT was commissioned by Inspire Northumberland for Blyth Valley Borough Council (now incorporated in the new Northumberland Borough Council) The project has been funded by BVBC, Northumberland Strategic Partnership and Inspire Northumberland.


A free minibus service will be leaving from outside Northern Stage at 5pm, departing Blyth Links at 6.45. If you would like to reserve a place in the minibus please email Sam Taylor sam@inspirenorthumberland.co.uk


Refreshments will be served from the Dave Stephenson Building at the Blyth Links, located next to the beach huts.


By Car:
North on the A1, take the Ashington, Cramlington turn to the A189.
At the roundabout go straight over following the A19 to the A189.
Go north on the A189 and take the Blyth turn – brown sign to Blyth Beach.
At the roundabout turn right then at next roundabout turn left. You now enter Blyth.
Follow the road, going straight over the next roundabout. At next large roundabout
Go straight on and take the first right into the Blyth Links car park. (You will see the beach huts on the promenade)


By Bus:
308 Newcastle – Blyth: Links Road / Wellesley (ask driver for this stop)
Buses leaving Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station approximately every 15 mins.
17. 09, 17.24, 17.38pm – the journey takes approx 40 mins

Published: 13th January 2010