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Apollo Pavilion illuminated at night via projection in striped monochrome light.

Apollo 50

22 Mar 2019 - 23 Mar 2019

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Apollo Pavilion illuminated in striped monochrome light at the bottom and block red, blue and green light on the top.
Apollo 50. by Mader-Wiermann for the Apollo Pavilion commissioned by Durham County Council, produced by Artichoke. Photo by Lee Dobson 2019.

A unique light installation to celebrate 50 years of Peterlee’s Apollo Pavilion

Watch the Apollo 50 film

Apollo 50, a mesmerising light installation, created by the Berlin-based artists, Mader Wiermann to celebrate 50 years of Victor Pasmore’s Apollo Pavilion in Peterlee.

Thousands joined us on the Sunny Blunts Estate in Peterlee  

Victor Pasmore’s Apollo Pavilion, one of Britain’s most famous examples of Brutalist art turned 50 in 2019. As part of Durham County’s celebrations, Artichoke produced Apollo 50, a mesmerising artwork by Berlin-based artists, Mader Wiermann. Their video-mapped light sequence accompanied by a gentle, undulating soundscape transformed Pasmore’s iconic design over the course of two nights. 

The event launched the Lumiere learning and participation programme, ‘Lift Off’ for young people in the local area in partnership with Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s BA course in Video Design for Live Performance. 

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1,000

Visitors

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2

Nights

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50

Years since the Apollo Pavilion was built

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70%

Percentage of visitors from County Durham

“It was brilliant. Great to see something like this in Peterlee” ~ Alyson, audience member

Brutalist concrete pedestrian bridges with angular structures cross a grassy area. Homes and bare trees are visible under an overcast sky.
Apollo pavilion lit up with a black and white striped projection

Lift Off: An original artwork by East Durham College students

A futuristic light projection displays abstract patterns and colors on a series of angled walls and vertical slats against a dusky orange sky, evoking mystery.
Lift Off, East Durham College Students, Guildhall Live Events:Dan Shorten, Lumiere Durham 2019. Produced by Artichoke. Photo by Matthew Andrews Lift Off​, East Durham College Students, Guildhall Live Events / Dan Shorten. In partnership with East Durham College. Supported by UpNorth Group, the Ragdoll Foundation and Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Lumiere​ Durham 2019, produced by Artichoke.

Apollo 50 marked the beginning of Lift-Off, our year-long education programme in the community of Peterlee in partnership with Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s BA course in Video Design for Live Performance in the lead-up to Lumiere Durham 2019.

A group of students from East Durham College took part in video-mapping master classes led by Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The group developed an understanding of the artistic techniques used by Mader Wiermann and tried their hand at creating their own designs. The artwork, titled Lift Off, was exhibited publicly in November 2019 as part of Lumiere Durham’s 10th anniversary edition.

Inspired by Apollo 50, the students collaboratively created their own unique artwork to transform Durham University’s Brutalist building, Dunelm House.

The Making of Lift Off

Learn more about the project and what it meant to the students who took part.

Key Partner

  • Commissioned by Durham County Council
  • Supported using public funding by Arts Council England - logo

Supporters

  • Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany London logo
  • Supported by the Ragdoll foundation

Hidden Voices: PROCESSIONS in the City

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