Panopticons is an arts and regeneration project of the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network managed by Mid Pennine Arts. It involved the construction of series of 21st century landmarks, or Panopticons (structures providing a comprehensive view), across
East Lancashire, England, as symbols of the renaissance of the area. Four large scale sculptures were commissioned, designed and constructed over a six-year period for the districts of
Blackburn
Blackburn () is an industrial town and the administrative centre of the Blackburn with Darwen borough in Lancashire, England. The town is north of the West Pennine Moors on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley, east of Preston and north-n ...
,
Burnley
Burnley () is a town and the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a 2001 population of 73,021. It is north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Bru ...
,
Pendle Pendle may refer to:
* Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England
** Pendle (UK Parliament constituency)
* Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England
** Forest of Pendle, hilly landscape surrounding the hill
* Pendle College of the University of Lancaster
* ...
and
Rossendale.
The ''Halo'' in
Haslingden
Haslingden is a town in Rossendale, Lancashire, England. It is north of Manchester. The name means 'valley of the hazels' or 'valley growing with hazels'. At the time of the 2011 census the town (including Helmshore) had a population of 15,96 ...
(Rossendale) was the last sculpture in the series to be erected, in September 2007. Plans for a similar sculpture in
Accrington
Accrington is a town in the Hyndburn borough of Lancashire, England. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, east of Preston, north of Manchester and is situated on the culverted River Hyndburn. Commonly abbreviated by locals to ...
were never realised. One artist's impression showed a different design.
Sculptures
The ''Atom''
Set in the landscape of
Pendle Pendle may refer to:
* Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England
** Pendle (UK Parliament constituency)
* Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England
** Forest of Pendle, hilly landscape surrounding the hill
* Pendle College of the University of Lancaster
* ...
, the ''Atom'' was designed by Peter Meacock, Andrew Edmunds and Katarina Novomestska of Peter Meacock Projects. It was launched by Mayor of Pendle, Councillor George Adams, with Anthony Wilson and designer Peter Meacock, on 22 September 2006. The bronze coated
glass fiber reinforced concrete
Glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) is a type of fibre-reinforced concrete. The product is also known as glassfibre reinforced concrete or GRC in British English. Glass fibre concretes are mainly used in exterior building façade panels and ...
structure provides both a work of art and a viewing point and shelter from which to enjoy the surrounding landscape.
Part of this sculpture has since been vandalised and removed. ''Atom'' is located at .
''Colourfields''
''Colourfields'' in
Blackburn
Blackburn () is an industrial town and the administrative centre of the Blackburn with Darwen borough in Lancashire, England. The town is north of the West Pennine Moors on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley, east of Preston and north-n ...
is a collaboration between Jo Rippon Architecture and artist Sophie Smallhorn. The design uses the former cannon battery in Corporation Park as its base. ''Colourfields'' was launched by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Dorothy Walsh, on the 14 June 2006. It's situated at .
Haslingden ''Halo''
The ''Halo'' is an artwork set on the expended landfill site (or "top 'o' slate") overlooking the town of
Haslingden
Haslingden is a town in Rossendale, Lancashire, England. It is north of Manchester. The name means 'valley of the hazels' or 'valley growing with hazels'. At the time of the 2011 census the town (including Helmshore) had a population of 15,96 ...
in
Rossendale, positioned to be clearly visible from the M66 and A56 approach to Lancashire. It is located at . The Halo was the fourth and final Panopticon to be constructed in Lancashire, and was launched in September 2007.
The ''Halo'' is an 18m diameter steel lattice structure supported on a tripod five metres above the ground. The core is open at the top, framing views of the sky. It is lit after dark, using low energy LEDs powered by an adjacent wind turbine, and glows a sky blue colour, giving the effect of hovering above the town. It was designed by John Kennedy of LandLab.
''Singing Ringing Tree''
The
''Singing Ringing Tree'' is a musical sculpture overlooking
Burnley
Burnley () is a town and the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a 2001 population of 73,021. It is north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Bru ...
. It was designed by architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu of Tonkin Liu, and constructed from pipes of galvanised steel. ''Singing Ringing Tree'' was launched by the Mayor of
Burnley
Burnley () is a town and the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a 2001 population of 73,021. It is north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Bru ...
, Councillor Mohammad Najib, JP, and designers Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu on 14 December 2006. The sculpture is located at .
Image:Wycoller panopticon atom.jpg,
Image:Halo in Haslingden, Rossendale, England.jpg,
Image:Singing_Ringing_Tree_(Panopticons).jpg,
Image:Colourfields.jpg,
Notes and references
Panopticons, New landmarks for the 21st century(Official site from the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network).
*
*Rossendale Borough Council. 2006-09-19. Item No. D7
Halo Panopticon.Retrieved 2007-11-29.
*
{{refend
Buildings and structures in Lancashire
Outdoor sculptures in England
Architecture in England