The NewBridge Project, Carliol House, Market Street, NE1 6NE
How do our cities’ buildings adapt to changing needs and economies, and what energies can bring a spark of life to old building stock? Exploring Frankenstein, local regeneration, the electrical past of Carliol House and the building’s present day life as the home of a vibrant artist-led community, Newcastle University’s Architecture Research Collaborative (ARC) and The NewBridge Project present a programme of public talks and debate, screenings and an exhibition; including a Frankenstein-themed installation A Spark of Being into the Lifeless Thing from architect Simone Ferracina and The Ghosts of The NewBridge from architect Ed Wainwright.
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In the bicentennial year of the completion of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, we ask how can buildings and city centres be reactivated and revitalised once their original uses are no longer needed? Following last year’s Scaling the Heights in the North Tower of the Tyne Bridge, this is the newest ARC event to open up unusual and underused spaces in the city to public audiences, and explore the urgent questions these sites raise. We considered these issues with artists, architectural researchers, planners and local players in urban regeneration in the faded Art Deco splendor of the foyer of the former HQ of the North East Electricity Supply Company (NESCo) built in 1927. Today Carliol House is at the heart of the East Pilgrim Street Development Area and has been given a new lease of life as the home of a vibrant artist-led community. Installations recreate the former home of The NewBridge Project before its demolition and explore the metaphorical affinities of building reuse with Frankenstein, with a screening of the 1931 film, and a programme of talks and debates running alongside.
This exhibition took place over three days at Carliol House.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Exhibition opening and East Pilgrim Street debate
Thursday 23rd November, 5.30 – 7.30pm
Exhibition opening and debate on East Pilgrim Street Regeneration: exhibition introduction from Ed Wainwright, project lead for Ghosts of the NewBridge, and debate on East Pilgrim Street regeneration with planner Colin Haylock, architect Ed Wainwright and NewBridge director Charlotte Gregory.
Electricity now and then
Friday 24 November, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Electricity now and then: Business historian Tom McGovern on the early development of NESCo and electrification in the North East, architectural historian Katie Lloyd Thomas on Women and Electrification in the 1930s and civil engineer Carlos Calderon on The Future of Domestic Electrification in Newcastle.
Open exhibition and introductions, and screening of Frankenstein
Saturday 25 November, 12:00-6:00pm
Exhibition Introductions from Simone Ferracina, designer of ‘A Spark of Being into the lifeless thing’ and Ed Wainwright ‘Ghosts of The NewBridge’
3.30pm: Film screening of Frankenstein (1931) in the Art Deco Foyer of Carliol House.
Accessibility statement: The NewBridge Project has limited accessibility, some of these exhibitions and events will take place in the Marble Foyer of the Building. Access to this space is up a number of stairs. The Basement of The NewBridge Project (which will host exhibition ‘The Ghosts of The NewBridge’) has ground level access to the rear of the building, but no accessible facilities. We regret, due to the age of our building and its change of use we do not have a functioning lift. Please contact us prior to visiting if you require additional information regarding access and facilities.
