Page 189 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

Reflecting on her memories of Apollo 50, Heike Wiermann, one half of the duo
behind the piece, said: “Our

intention was to really change the perception of this heavy, concrete structure with the
fleeting medium of light.

“Working in Peterlee was a wonderful experience, and public art projects like this are

an opportunity for all people – there is no admission fee and no threshold.

“The everyday environment can become visible again through this experience.”

Alison Clark, head of culture, sport and tourism at Durham County Council, agrees.
She said: “The Apollo Pavilion is a striking example of brutalist architecture and a

very important part of the story of Peterlee.

“These creative projects provided an opportunity for people to reconnect with the
sculpture on its 50th anniversary and it was wonderful to see the community coming
together to experience a remarkable spectacle.”

“It was a shared community experience. It made things better”

Many local people came out of their houses to watch the display from their doorsteps,
and audiences were able to wander through the structure experiencing it at their
leisure.

William Nicholson, a tutor in Creative Industries at East Durham College and Peterlee

resident, recalls his experience of seeing Apollo 50.

He said: “It was wonderful to see people of all ages enjoying the installation.

“I believe that the event fundamentally changed perceptions people had about the
Apollo Pavilion.

“There were young people sitting on the grass just watching and enjoying the

movement of light and sound and there were older couples walking around the site to
see it from different perspectives.

“It was a shared community experience. It made things better.”