BIGG IDEAS: STUDENT DESIGN EXHIBITION

Bigg Ideas Exhibition

Baltic 39, 31-39 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EW

Open for public viewing
Tuesday, 25 June to Sunday, 30 June 2019, 12.00-5.00pm.
The exhibition is free to attend and booking is not required

‘Bigg Ideas’ is an exhibition of artwork and design projects created by students at Northumbria University, who have been inspired by the regeneration of Newcastle’s famous Bigg Market.

As part of NE1’s £3.2 million National Lottery Heritage Funded Bigg Market regeneration scheme, students from Fashion Communication, Graphic Design, Interaction Design and MFA Fine Art were invited to create a series of innovative concepts, all designed to attract new audiences to the city’s Bigg Market which would reflect the area’s historic past 

The exhibition will feature artwork, digital installations, concepts and design prototypes, inspired by the Bigg Market’s culture and history, including the use of Audio Spotlighting Technology to transport back to the bygone era and recreating holograms of the historic Winter Zoo, which saw tigers, lions and giraffes housed within the Bigg Market’s now demolished Town Hall during the 1960’s. 

Jamie Steane, Associate Professor of Design and project lead for the University.

The individual courses gave their students their own tailored brief to explore the heritage of the Bigg Market. For example, MFA Fine Art students were asked to imagine being commissioned to create a piece of Public Art or an exhibition piece that was inspired by the Bigg Market’s culture and history. Whereas Graphic Design first years were asked to create design concepts that would ‘improve community engagement with a new Bigg Market at all times of day…’

Alex Slack, Bigg Market Regeneration Project Lead, NE1

“Working with the Northumbria University students has been an incredible experience especially as Alumni. The talent and creativity that the students have demonstrated gives a real sense of encouragement for the future of the art and design sectors. On a personal level I have been afforded the utmost professional courtesy from all involved and I truly hope this is just the beginning of our collaborations”

Over 200 students took part in the briefs and over 30 of the best final artworks, concepts and design prototypes are will be on public display at Baltic 39 12-5pm from Tuesday 25th June to Sunday 29th June 2019 at BALTIC 39. 31-39 High Bridge, Newcastle. Entrance is free.