A Meteoric mission to Temenos

Primary children went on a meteoric mission to view Middlesbrough’s new £2.7m, 48m high sculpture Temenos.

The sculpture is the work of influential artist Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond, one of the world’s leading structural engineers.

The two children, from Abingdon Primary School, are taking part in the University’s award-winning Meteor programme. Their visit aimed to inspire them for when they visit the University campus in July to take part in the annual Meteor summer school, where they will design and construct their own mini-Temenos.

Joe Bulmer, from the University’s pre-16 team, which delivers the Meteor programme, said: ‘Temenos is such an iconic installation for the town. Hopefully it will inspire the pupils to tell their classmates in preparation for the summer school, and their parents as well, that we have this great piece of local art.’

During the summer school, 500 year six primary children will visit the University for a range of activities. They will be from across the Tees Valley and, for the first time, two Darlington schools will be joining - Heathfield and Corporation Road.

Mark Hopgood, Project Director for Temenos, will deliver daily presentations about the sculpture to the children before they undertake their own constructions.

Aiming to inspire other youngsters Heena Akram, 11, from Abingdon School, said: ‘It’s so interesting seeing Temenos up close, the way the structure’s built. I’d like it to inspire other young people to build their own structures in the future.

‘The activities we’ve done for Meteor in school have been really fun and I want to go to University when I’m older. I want to study to become a Doctor as I like helping people.

Classmate Shaan Hussain, 11, added: ‘I really like the shape of Temenos, it’s interesting and good for Middlesbrough. I’m looking forward to building my own structure at the University in July.

‘I liked the Zoolab Meteor tour when it came to our school as we got to see lots of different animals. I also want to go to University when I’m older.’

Mark Hopgood, Project Manager for Temenos, said: ‘I’m delighted to be coming in to the University to talk to the Meteor pupils.

‘It gives them an opportunity to engage in a major art development in their own town and will be very interesting to see which structures they decide to make, whether they’re similar to Temenos or they feel inspired to go in a completely different direction.

‘Temenos will be here for 120 years so it’s important that young people and their families come down to see it, they are the future.’

• Dr Natasha Vall, from the University’s History Research Team, was recently interviewed for BBC Radio 3's Night Waves about the launch of Temenos.
  Listen to her interview

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