Preview: Great Exhibition of the North

Image: Great Exhibition of the North opening event_image by EYELEVEL.jpg

This is the moment all lovers of North East Culture have been waiting for, the cultural event across Newcastle and Gateshead that celebrates art, culture, design and innovation.

Great North Exhibition is said to be an event by the North for the North. And there is a lot to get your cultural teeth into. Such as, Lauren Laverne’s Great Northern Soundtrack, return of the Stephenson’s Rocket and live performances from Roisin Murphy and Kaiser Chiefs and much more.

The Exhibition is free and will tell stories of the North East, looking at how the present is inspiring our future.
Sir Gary Verity, Chairman of Great Exhibition of the North, said: “As well as being a showcase for some of the best creative and inspiring talent from the North of England, our diverse programme tells a pioneering story and one that will help change the way the world views the North.”

The programme will be start at the Great North Museum, Baltic and Sage Gateshead– before joining three interconnected trails through 30 world-class venues and public spaces on either side of the River Tyne that celebrate the North’s achievements in art and culture, design, and innovation.

Baltic will show work from the artist Ryan Gander that symbolise innovation in the North of England and other commissions from other artists. A maquette of Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North will also be on display.

Sage Gateshead will curate a great Northern summer of music, filled with concerts, festivals and family activity featuring cutting-edge artists such as Nightmares on Wax and classical concerts from Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Councillor Kim McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities at Newcastle City Council, said: “We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious and exciting event in our city and we are looking forward to offering a warm Geordie welcome to visitors from across the country and beyond.”

The Exhibition will launch on 22nd June with the theme of ‘Get North’, where visitors cab experience a large water sculpture from the Quayside with a brand new film about a journey across the North East. The inaugural evening will also bring together art, design, culture and innovation and will reveal content that will be present throughout the 80-day exhibition.
On 9 September, the world’s largest half marathon, the Great North Run, will form the centrepiece of the closing weekend.

For information on the programme click here