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'The Braid' Lights up Sudell Cross in Blackburn
Sudell Cross and Northgate area is a major transport route and an important pedestrian gateway, linking Corporation Park, the College and Strawberry Bank areas to Blackburn town centre. It was identified in the as one of the priority areas for improvement and is part of a £1.1 million revamp organised by Blackburn Borough Council.
'The Braid', a modern light feature soaring 32 feet in to the air, forms the centrepiece of the Sudell Cross and was finally unveiled in April. The feature was designed by nationally renowned artist Simon Watkinson, and built by the specialist bespoke metal fabrication and stainless steel architecture company, M-TEC of Darwen, part of the WEC Group Ltd.
This bold feature is now lit throughout the day and night with a changing array of colours. The sculpture is a magnificent sight and is set to put the Sudell Cross area firmly on the map, attracting visitors to enjoy the space created and more importantly spend money in local shops, cafes and restaurants.
The lighting was supplied from Stage Electrics in Bristol. The fixtures used were Martin Architectural’s Light Pipe and the fittings used were Color Kinetics Colorburst 6 LED sources. Ed Gamble from Stage Electrics explains the choice of the light pipe: “RHOS Compliance was important and this seems to be the only product that is available at the present moment. Also, the even light distribution due to the internal light distribution filter, the correct size ratio for the structure and correct size for the chosen source fittings, and lastly, but probably most importantly, the availability and price of the fixtures.”
Simon Watkinson described the idea behind the structure: “Visually I wanted to make something that appeared to emanate from the floorscape without the need for a mediating plinth. The LED lights in the granite suggest further strands that have been cut, as if the whole structure is in fact a fat fibre-optic cable harness emerging for the hard landscaping. The top plates are like the cards used in Jacquard looms for “programming” the design.
Simon goes on to detail the use of lighting: “With regard to the lighting the use of light pipes allows the creation of large scale elements of light. The colour changing LED fittings create a vivid rotational movement through the top section, enhancing the sense of turning that the stainless steel pipes establish.” He goes on to comment on the Light Pipe: “The Light Pipe has performed very well, with great visual impact at night.”
Lastly, Simon explains that an important aspect is the drama of the structure, the accumulation of rods supporting the more robust top section, set against the various city backdrops and sky. It is obviously a contemporary piece but refers back to an old Victorian lantern that used to occupy the site. “As part of the newly landscaped site I think the two marry very well.”
8th October 2007
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