The work HA[SOFT]RD, sound sculpture is installed in mima’s garden. Scan the QR code (quick response code) with a smartphone or visit mima reception to pick up a hand-held radio to experience the soundscape when walking round and through the sculpture.

HA[SOFT]RD is the result of my ten week residency in Middlesbrough working with school groups, local communities, businesses, mima’s internationally renowned collections and Creative Apprentices, Alice Hornby and Helen Wickens.

My starting point was to explore, visit and research this great region, its people, rich landscape, industrial roots and pioneering heritage in iron and steel making.

Through a series of workshops and events, I interviewed a wide range of people from Teesside, gathering and recording their stories and memories of living and working in the area including their hopes and dreams for the future, alongside sound recordings from local industry and heritage sites.

HA[SOFT]RD stands tall like a machined jewel using industrial parts and materials that reflect the town’s local economy and recent business growth. The honeycomb porcelain filters used widely in local industry float within a bespoke steel mesh which makes up the body of the work, perfectly framed within a strong steel structure.

The work is a tribute to the town’s industrial roots and the local community who proudly refer to themselves as ‘Smoggies’, a nickname for people from Teesside that was coined due to the industrial nature of the area. It was first used as a derogatory term, but now many people proudly call themselves Smoggies, including supporters of Middlesbrough FC and local MP Tom Blenkinsop, who used it in a parliamentary speech in 2011.

As part of the residency I interviewed and worked with staff at William Lane Foundry which has been casting on Teesside for one hundred and fifty years.

The wall based work titled William’s Jewel in café mima uses the waste material produced by William Lane Foundry. The naturally occurring splashes and overspills are the result of the bespoke metalwork casting process which William Lane has perfected. The piece celebrates the manufacturing industry in Middlesbrough.

The work references the hexagonal shapes within the HA[SOFT]RD sculpture currently on display in the mima garden and is also now in the mima collection.

HA[SOFT]RD
mima garden sound sculpture, 2014
Porcelain filters, stainless steel mesh, galvanised steel frame, audio
Collection of mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

William’s Jewel
Wall based sculpture, 2014
Timber, zinc, brass, copper, bronze
Collection of mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

My final casts being done at William Lane.

Foundation were successfully laid in.

Lovely evening spend with Mike and Sarah Gee at Hartlepool.

and next day with Mike trip to Skelton in Cleveland to record Mr Alan Richardson.

Back at William Lane, great to see everyone and the progress of the accidental casts. I have also received my special elpihv XS William Lane Sweatshirt and William Lane calendar.

Selection of materials for my final commission at mima’s garden.

Our event at the Transporters Bridge Visitors Centre was a very successful and enjoyable day. Thank you to all that participated and shared they stories. I will be editing the recordings from the day and and will share this with you.

Here are some brilliant images of the day. Images by Steve Brown

Brilliant morning at William lane foundry casting samples with Stuart and Edward.

Prep work and sample No 1 by Stuart:

Stuart casting my hand print:

Sample No 2 by Stuart and Elpida:

poring the bronze:

Recording session with Alan Richardson from Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum in Skinningrove. Definitely worth a visit.

Recording session with Alan Richardson

Meeting with Dave Allen from Dual Brown & Sons Ltd, discussing the metal frame for the artwork.

With Dave Allen discussing frames