(nominated by Emma Keating)
Spennymoor Signs, 2006
Ira Lightman and Dan Civico have created three eye catching signs in Spennymoor, which spell out the name of the town and incorporates 2,500 different surnames of local residents.
Artist Ira Lightman was commissioned by Sedgefield Borough Council to produce a new public artwork comprising of ten visual poems creating letter shaped sculptures spelling the word S-P-E-N-N-Y-M-O-O-R on the walls around the town centre. Within each letter are poems that were selected from an open call for entries from the local community and education workshops that Ira undertook.
Futher investment in public art by Sedgefield Borough Council resulted in the approval of proposals presented by Ira Lightman and Dan Civico for three gateway features to greet visitors to the town as they enter via different routes. The Gateway pieces make direct reference to the Spennymoor letters through similar colours and text and create a visual connection between the town's centre and its boundaries.
The three red and black signs are made from stainless steel, a material etched into Spennymoor's industrial heritage.
The signs incorporate 2500 different surnames of Spennymoor residents, which are arranged in such a way that each sign spells out the name 'Spennymoor'. A light box illuminates the artwork.
More information on the Spennymoor Signs
More information on the Spennymoor Letters
More information on Dan Civico
More information on Ira Lightman
