Beacons – David Pearl (2004)

Acceleration is situated opposite the Old Town Hall and provides a link between Gateshead Town Centre and Gateshead Quays. The design concept uses the strong slope of the site and refers to the historic architecture of the Old Town Hall. Acceleration provides a physical separation between the car park and the Town Hall Square, which features street furniture designed by the same artist. The sculpture takes the form of a repeat ring motif acknowledging the past but heading into the future. The wheel symbolises the industrial history of Gateshead, with particular reference to the former railway engineering works in the historic quarter. The artwork is 7 metres long and is constructed from cor-ten steel with angled, stainless steel paddles. The colour of the piece links to the surrounding railway viaduct made of St Bees sandstone. Funded by One North East through the Single Regeneration Budget.

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