Specialist materials created by The Expanded Metal Company – manufacturer of the ExMesh range of physical security products – have taken their place at the 7.3m diameter Pacific Dome, part of the Idea Of North exhibition at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. Idea of North presents a series of projects from the likes of pavilions, architectural constructions and guest-curated displays to mark northern identity through architecture, photography, music and design.
The Great Exhibition of the North, which launches today in Newcastle and Gateshead, is a free summer-long event including exhibits, live performances and new artworks. The dome was developed by London-based design and materials agency MaterialDriven, who were asked by Baltic and Ryder Architecture to design and curate the piece.
The dome was designed to capture some of the work and products of designers, material makers and key manufacturers who have ties to Northern England and to reflect the diversity, heritage and emerging innovation in the region.
The Expanded Metal Company supplied two mild steel raised mesh pieces for use in the dome which features five layers – bottom to top – of one-off materials such as colourful plastics and paper. The triangles were manufactured from a mesh typically used in ExMesh™ high security fencing systems.
MaterialDriven say that the inset triangles draw from the heritage of the North and emerging materials. The dome from ground to ceiling has a variety of materials, which are diverse in form, colour, size, texture and source. The dome will be on display until September 30.
Philip Astley, managing director of The Expanded Metal Company, said: “We’re delighted to have been given the opportunity to contribute to the Idea Of North exhibition and to help celebrate the pioneering spirit of the region. Our expanded metal mesh has been used across the globe in some landmark buildings and major projects – but it’s particularly pleasing to see our products on show in such a prestigious exhibition in North East England, which has been home to our company since the 1890s. Expanded metal has long been admired by architects and designers for its compelling aesthetics and it is great to see that the metal mesh we produce is considered to be one of the outstanding and extraordinary materials from across the North. The whole team at The Expanded Metal Company are very proud that we’re taking part in the Great Exhibition of the North.”
Visit http://baltic.art/whats-on/idea-of-north.
About The Expanded Metal Company
Founded by John French Golding, the inventor and patentee of expanded metal, it operates from a 25,000 sqm site in Hartlepool. Visit www.expandedmetalcompany.co.uk.
