This incredible timelapse video shows the transformation of a unique County Durham landmark.
The Apollo Pavilion in Peterlee is hosting an inflatable and illuminated installation to make five decades since the structure was unveiled.
The piece is the brainchild of of County Durham based Steve Messam - the man behind Hush in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The pavilion, an example of brutalist architecture, was officially opened on the town’s Sunny Blunts estate in 1969, named in honour of that year’s Apollo moon landings.
Steve said: “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to work with such an iconic piece of brutalist architecture.
"Such a bold statement of time, place and ambition, all within the context of the Apollo moon landings, I really looking forward to celebrate that spirit 50 years on.”
Durham County Council chose to mark the 50th anniversary of the structure with a year of celebrations which has already seen it house a light installation, delivered in partnership with Artichoke, producer of the Lumiere festival, and scene of a 50th birthday party which boasted live music and screenings of lunar-themed films.
The celebrations, also part of the council’s year of culture #Durham19, are now set to continue with ‘Apollo’ – in which the pavilion is encased by four inflated sculptural forms, illuminated from within.
Councillor Joy Allen, the council’s Cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, said: “We are delighted to have a local artist like Steve involved in our celebrations of 50 years of the Apollo Pavilion, and our year of culture #Durham19.
“His Hush installation has proved a massive success and having seen images of how ‘Apollo’ will look, I am sure it will be just as popular.
“It’s been really pleasing how people have engaged with the light installation and birthday party and we look forward to seeing everyone at Apollo.”
The art display on show until Sunday, September 22.
