What is APERTURA?
APERTURA by Ed Carter, Nicky Kirk and Tony Broomhead is an interactive sonic sculpture set in the picturesque setting of Northumberland National Park’s, Walltown Country Park.
It is a contemporary large scale public artwork that celebrates 1900 years of the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inspired by the World Heritage Site and the stunning landscapes of Northumberland National Park, APERTURA will frame, and provide a new viewpoint to this section of Hadrian’s Wall, inviting audiences to experience a constantly changing, interactive spectacle of shimmering light and sound.
Visitors will experience a sound sculpture made up of 1900 copper wind chimes that creates an evolving soundscape the everchanging breeze.
It is a keystone event taking place as part of Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival.
APERTURA has been commissioned by Northumberland County Council on behalf of the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership for Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival. It is funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority.
When does APERTURA take place?
APERTURA is open to the public from Saturday 10 September until Sunday 2 October 2022.
There is no need to book, and you may visit the installation at any time.
Where is it taking place?
Apertura will be on display at:
Walltown Country Park
Greenhead
Brampton
CA8 7HF
Walltown Country Park lies on the line of Hadrian’s Wall, near the village of Greenhead.
45 years ago, this site was a working quarry, where the hard whinstone was blasted with dynamite to provide road stone for the expanding road network of the early 20th Century. After it closed in 1976, the quarry was filled in and landscaped, planted with trees and flowers, and today is a haven for wildlife and nature.
It is a place to relax, watch wildlife and feed the ducks, but you can also find adventure in its meadows and woodlands and get a real taste of the wild!
The installation will be sited in the centre of the site on higher section of the park meaning it can be viewed across the site and visitors can also walk up to the installation and interact with it up close.
Do I need a ticket?
No, visiting the installation is FREE and open to all so there’s no need to book.
There is a parking charge of £3 for two hours at Walltown Country Park. The ticket machine is next to the visitor kiosk.
ACCESS
We aim to make our events as inclusive as possible. If you have any comments or suggestions around access, please email info@hadrianswall1900.co.uk
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Walltown Country Park is one of the most accessible locations In the National Park, with wheel friendly routes and a Changing Places facility within the visitor centre.
The installation will be sited at the top of a hill roughly in this location.
It is roughly 400 metres from the car park, but it can be viewed from as little as 60 metres from the car park.
Is it suitable for those who are D/deaf or hard of hearing?
Whilst APERTURA is a sound installation, it will also be visually striking and is designed to frame the dramatic landscape of Northumberland National Park, providing visitors with a new way of experiencing the site. It will also include movement creating a shimmering spectacle in the breeze.
We are exploring options to help those who are D/deaf or hard of hearing experience the installation. Please check back here for more information.
Is it suitable for those with a visual impairment?
APERTURA is made up of 1900 copper windchimes which will create an evolving soundscape in the breeze. The sound element of the installation can be enjoyed by those with a visual impairment.
We are looking into delivering an audio descriptive and touch tour visit to the installation. If you would be interested in this, please contact info@hadrianswall1900.co.uk
Is there Blue Badge parking available?
There are three blue badge parking bays in the Walltown Country Park car park.
Are there toilets nearby?
There are male, female, and disabled toilets at the visitor centre in Walltown Country Park.
A Changing Places facility is open day and night, throughout the year.
GETTING THERE
How do I get to Walltown Country Park?
By Car
Parking is available at Walltown Country Park. There is a charge of £3 for two hours to park. The ticket machine is next to the visitor kiosk.
Use address and postcode below for sat nav:
Walltown Country Park
Greenhead
Brampton CA8 7HF
From the A1, travel west along the A69. At the Junction near Greenhead (west of Haltwhistle), turn right, drive through Greenhead and up the hill for one mile on the B6318 until you reach the T-junction signposting ‘Walltown Quarry’ and ‘The Roman Army Museum’. Drive 500m and Walltown Country Park is just beyond the Roman Army Museum.
From the M6, travel east along the A69. At the Junction near Greenhead, turn left, drive through Greenhead and up the hill for 1 mile on the B6318 until you reach the T-junction signposting ‘Walltown Quarry’ and ‘The Roman Army Museum’. Drive 500m and Walltown Country Park is just beyond the Roman Army Museum.
By Bus
The Hadrian’s Wall Bus AD122 stops at Walltown Country Park.
By Train
The nearest train station is Haltwhistle and the Hadrian’s Wall Bus AD122 makes stops here. Haltwhistle train station can be accessed from national train lines via Carlisle and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Other Information
Who are the artists involved?
Ed Carter devises and creates musical compositions and interdisciplinary projects that are context-specific, with a focus on process. His recent projects span orchestral and electronic music, film, sculpture, large-scale installation, and sound works.
He has collaborated with a wide range of partners including architects, scientists, engineers, animators, and programmers, and has received awards and commissions from a broad range of organisations, including Arts Council England, Ordnance Survey, Cancer Research UK, The Arts & Humanities Research Council, Channel 4, and the Royal Academy of Engineers.
His PhD research explored connections between architectural contexts, sonic composition, and interdisciplinary art practice, focusing on rhythm, scale, and liminality.
Ed’s music projects have included recordings with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and his album ‘Phonautogram’ was described by The Wire as “A work of consummate craftsmanship, as detailed and delicate as an old fashioned timepiece.”
Nicholas Kirk founded NKA in 2011. The office is a design lead, RIBA Chartered Architectural Practice based in North London. NKA create buildings and spaces that are inspired by their context and culture to improve and enhance our everyday experience of the built environment.
The NKA design process involves testing out and prototyping ideas through drawing, consultation and model making. Research is a critical part of the practice for continuing development and growth. The practice are adept at communicating ideas through advanced 3D visualisations and computer modeling, 2D / 3D CAD and BIM alongside skilfully crafted hand sketches.
The practice’s first significant architectural project was at 76 Newington Green – a one off house that nestles neatly on a 4.5m plot between 2 period terraces in North London. The house was recently featured on the BBC programme The House that 100k Built as an exemplar building on a difficult site, that combines intelligent and delightful architecture on a shoestring budget
Nicky had previously collaborated with Tony Broomhead on architectural radio show Amenity Space on cult radio station Resonance 104.4FM. They created over 60 shows and it was not long before they were invited to work on a range of arts and architectural projects. Amenity Space then transformed in to a cutting edge, award winning architectural practice.
Tony is an award-winning architect, educator and an on-screen designer for the BBC. He has over 15 years’ experience of developing temporary structures that encourage engagement and interaction.
After completing his studies in architecture at the University of Sheffield in 2001 Tony worked for several practices before establishing Amenity Space, with Nicky Kirk in 2006. The practice specialised in architectural and artistic projects within the cultural sectors and included several collaborations with Ed Carter.
Tony has been working under the banner OS31 since 2014, focusing on light touch and sustainable design. He has won several high-profile competitions, that have been published internationally. His design for a temporary restaurant on a frozen river in Canada was voted as one of the top five pieces of Pop- up architecture in the world by the Architecture Review 2015. Clients have included, Grand Designs, Selfridges, Noma Copenhagen and the Royal Academy.
Since 2016 Tony has been contributing to The Dengineers TV series for CBBC as an on-screen designer. The programme helps children design and build their own dens/structures/retreats and allows the to audience gain an understanding of the build process. The series reaches over 1 million viewers in the UK and is distributed worldwide. Dengineers has been voted Best Children’s Factual TV Programme by BAFTA 2019, and The Royal Television Society 2021.
Structural Engineering by Price & Myers
Fabrication by MorFab
Fabrication of sails by Jamie Fry
Engagement workshops delivered by Amanda Drago of Green Croft Arts
Chime Hanging by Ken Brown, Pete Evans, Matt Stokes and John Smith
Production Management by TG Events
Who are the organisers?
APERTURA has been commissioned by Northumberland County Council on behalf of the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership.
It is being delivered by the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival team.
It is funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and delivered in partnership with Northumberland National Park Authority.
Evaluation
Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival has engaged Wavehill to conduct a holistic evaluation to capture all elements of the programme’s delivery; including participant and audience feedback.
If you visit APERTURA please look out for QR codes at the artwork, near to the visitor kiosk and on postcards which you may find on your windscreen.
Your feedback enables us to report to funders and partners and helps future planning of events and activities on Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.