| Blue Carpet |
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The Blue Carpet, installed in 2002, is a space outside the Laing Art Gallery designed by Thomas Heatherwick. He won the International Design Competition for the area. The Carpet is made from recycled blue glass bottles and curves up against the side of the gallery. It is as if the benches have been made by peeling up a carpet. Fluorescent lights underneath the benches add a carnival atmosphere at night. The space also incorporates a beautiful spiral staircase which acts as a link to the public footbridge as well as serving as a piece of public art. It opened amid controversy over the budget and the colour. Originally budgeted at £300,000 the revised cost came to £1.4 million. Many were disappointed when they saw the colour was a bluey-grey rather than the bright blue that had been envisioned. Where: Outside Laing Art Gallery, New Bridge Street, NE1 8AG |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 May 2007 ) |
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