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Silica, an exciting new public artwork, has
arrived at Big Lamp Corner, Weston-super-Mare.
The illuminated spire for the 85ft (26m) structure was craned in
on Sunday 12 November 2006.
Designed by artist Wolfgang Buttress, Silica is the final part
of the £1m redevelopment of Big Lamp Corner and forms the part of
the £11m improvement plan for the town centre called the
Civic Pride Initiative.
The structure's spire contains thousands of glass bulbs which
are lit by LED lights. These can be lit up with various colours and
spectacular lighting combinations.
The structure incorporates a bus shelter and kiosk in its base
and a moving band of text, used to display messages and public
information.
The project has cost £280,000 and has been funded through bodies
such as South West Regional Development Agency, Weston Regeneration
Partnership, Weston Tourism and Weston Town Council as part of a
wider series of improvements across the town.
The ongoing improvements to the town centre, including Big Lamp
Corner, have come from us successfully bidding for and winning
funding from the Civic Pride initiative.
This funding totalling £11m and allocated for 11 projects can
only be used for these projects.
The overall aim being to increase the attractiveness of the town
to major investors, visitors and residents alike in order to boost
the local economy. |