THE crowning glory of an £85m shopping centre expansion will be a landmark work of art.
The 30ft structure consists of five glowing metal balls, each 6ft in diameter, stacked in a vase-type vessel. It is destined for the roof of the Debenhams store at the MetroCentre, in Gateshead.
Titled Look Out, it has been created by Tyneside artist Cate Watkinson. It was inspired by the enjoyment of shopping, and reflects the old-fashioned shopping basket filled with items.
The spheres and the basket, which is made out of glass and metal, will be lit up with changing colours.
One of the spheres will incorporate a time capsule, with mementoes from North-East schools and companies involved in the work's development.
The manufacture of the spheres is the first process in the production, and is taking place at Tanfield Metal Spinners, in Washington.
The finished spheres will be given to architectural metalworkers, who will polish them and complete the manufacture of Look Out.
The piece will stand on the 371,000sq ft redevelopment and extension of the Red Mall, due to open in October next year. The mall's construction has created 1,500 jobs, and 1,000 retail jobs will follow.
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