John Orchard next to the latest Futurescope image
If a picture paints a thousand words, the latest in a series of massive photographic public artworks displayed at Lingfield Point, Darlington, says all there is to say about the ethos of our neighbourhood.
‘Potato’, shows a gardener planting the vegetable depicting Lingfield Point’s modern take on the ‘good life’ with its plans for a low carbon, sustainable live/work community.
The 45ft diameter photograph is part of the successful ‘Futurescope’ project and can be seen from one of the main routes through the town by thousands of people everyday.
‘Potato’ is the sixth image in the Futurescope series and shows allotment holder Judith Ithurralde who works at Darlington College planting potatoes.
Christian Barnes, director of Vista Projects and architect John Kennedy are the creative force behind Futurescope. Christian said:
“Futurescope focuses on sustainability, the living and working environment and the emotional connection people have with the place.
“We took hundreds of pictures when with the allotment holders but this one had particular resonance for us.
“It depicts the simple act of planting a vegetable – but it represents more than that. The picture also aims to raise the profile of a green initiative at Lingfield Point that is being run by volunteers and the Friends of the Earth.
“We want to encourage others to take up allotments on the site. For a company rather than a council to make allotments available like this and to work with a third sector organisation to do it is a very unusual thing and it fits with a vision for the future that is being developed locally at Lingfield Point.
“While this artwork is being displayed those plants are all growing on site the picture will maintain a link with the the moments in which they were plantedAnd at pretty much the same time as the piece is being taken down those potatoes will be harvested and eaten..”
John Orchard, director of Marchday Group, owners of Lingfield Point said:
“The latest installation is a fantastic addition to the Futurescope project. It’s a representation of all that we are hoping to achieve at Lingfield Point.
“We want the public art at Lingfield Point to be exciting, thought provoking and create interest and intrigue. Futurescope does just that, not just for people working at Lingfield Point but for thousands of people driving past everyday.”
“Our masterplan will take the site back to the pioneering spirit of Patons and Baldwins who all those years ago worked really hard to create a community were people could walk to work, drop off their kids eat good food and generally enjoy a true community spirit.
“This new community built around the existing business space will eventually include eco-homes a school, parkland, sports pitches, a health centre, shops and restaurants.
“We are creating a 21st century vision of the good life – and we are well on our way to achieving this.”
The site is home to some of the most significant businesses in the North East including the Student Loan Company, Capita, Xentrall Shared Services and NAAFI.
Previous Futurescope installations have proved a major talking point and have so far included ‘Sunflowers’, ‘Lingfield Lamb’, ‘Beeman’, ‘The Sun’ and most recently, ‘HUM!’ the piece that ‘Potato’ replaced.
