Member Article

Bamboo creates eighth wonder on the Tyne

Work has begun to create an eighth bridge across the River Tyne using 20 tonnes of bamboo.

The temporary suspension bridge, spanning over 100 metres, will take shape over the coming weeks, and its completion on Friday 18 July will mark the start of the SummerTyne festival.

Bambuco, an Australian company specialising in the construction of huge-scale bamboo sculptures, have been invited by culture10, based at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, to bring an international team of riggers to create their most ambitious work to date. The bridge will be constructed entirely by hand and span from the Law Courts in Newcastle across to HMS Calliope in Gateshead. The riggers will construct the 25-metre-high towers and then joining them with a suspension-style bridge made up of around 800 individual pieces of bamboo, some up to 9 metres long.

Spectators will be able to ask riggers questions during the build and find out more at exhibitions in the viewing box at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Concourse of The Sage Gateshead. The completed bridge will be on display for the opening weekend of SummerTyne - though crossing it will be strictly reserved for the Bambuco team.

Stella Hall, Creative Director of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “People should prepare to be awestruck by the sight of an eighth bridge slowly taking shape on NewcastleGateshead’s iconic quayside. “This temporary bridge will put the international spotlight on our breathtaking riverscape and its completion will mark the start of SummerTyne festival. It is one example of how this summer we will be showing the world why we are a vibrant and cultural place to live and visit.”

To watch the progress of the eight bridge and for more information visit www.NewcastleGateshead.com. For more information about SummerTyne visit www.thesagegateshead.org.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .