Location: Consett
Consett has a rich and proud tradition of steel manufacturing. The Genesis Project was formed after the closure of the Steel Works with one aim: to benefit the local community.
By developing the redundant land, the Genesis Trust has totally changed the landscape, facilitated over 150 million pounds worth of development and created hundreds of jobs for local people.
Part of the development includes the creation of Fawcett Park, a facility covering a two-hectare area built on land once occupied by the town's steelworks. Features include play areas, wildflower areas, a timber trim trail as well as hosting a section of the popular C2C cycle way and providing access to the Derwent Walk.
Over 12,000 shrubs and trees were planted in the park alongside the two magnificent large-scale public artworks.
Chris Brammall was asked to design develop a number of these public artworks including the central 'Genesis Circle' feature. As an area of historical significance, Chris took time to research the history of the old steelworks including browsing old photographs of people working. The finished design is a celebration of the history and industry which once stood on site.
With a diameter of 18 metres, the feature is made up of a series of interlocking panels, each weighing a ton and made from corten and mild steel, depicting scenes from images of the original foundry.
For more information about The Genesis Project please visit http://project-genesis.org.uk