Newcastle's Monumental Construction
This weekend, NOVUM Newcastle Summer Festival welcomed globally acclaimed visual artist, Olivier Grossetête, to the city of Newcastle.
The illustrious French artist, known for his grandiose cardboard structures crafted in collaboration with local communities, fashioned a temporary extension to Newcastle's imposing modernist marvel, the Civic Centre, from 11-13 August.
Grossetête's work, a collaborative endeavour with local communities, was delivered via a series of participatory workshops. The transient architectural spectacle that emerged served as a central point for celebrations and performances throughout the three-day multi-art-form event.
Grossetête, recognised for his monumental cardboard constructions, inspires communities across the globe to collaborate and transform humble materials into awe-inspiring architectural achievements.
Kate Craddock of Curated Place, Creative Producer of NOVUM, said, "We were thrilled to welcome Olivier to Newcastle and to offer the local community a chance to create a monument that pays homage to our incredible city.
"Newcastle’s rich architectural heritage, including our famous bridges, the Georgian elegance of Grey Street, and the Grade II listed Civic Centre itself, all played a role in shaping Olivier’s final design."
Grossetête's team has been erecting his community-driven monumental constructions since 2003, engaging thousands of community members in his cardboard and tape escapades across five continents.
In Newcastle, the monumental installation was built on Friday 11 August, on Ceremonial Way, adjacent to the Civic Centre in an epic 8 hour participatory build.
On Sunday, 13 August the public came once again to take part in and witness the "Colossal Destruction"—a jubilant and cathartic deconstruction event, underscoring the ephemeral nature of the festival and the artwork.
Monumental Construction is at the heart of NOVUM, which promises to offer a fresh festival experience for the city.
Curated Place, an award-winning arts producer, has collaborated with Newcastle City Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority to develop this event.
In its inaugural year, NOVUM also hosted three nights of exceptional live music, offering attendees a first-time experience of the iconic Civic Centre as a live music venue.
The event transformed the Civic Centre and its surrounding gardens into a cultural playground, where attendees immersed themselves in art, music, performances, and installations. Free activities throughout the weekend included 'Stay and Play', creative workshops led by local artists, and community-focused performances that catered to art aficionados, music lovers, families, and children alike.
For more information, visit novumnewcastle.com
Image: Olivier Grossetête's Colossal Destruction at NOVUM Newcastle Summer Festival, photo by Tynesite Media
