A new public artwork at Blyth beach by Laura Harrington and Jamie Allen was launched on

12 January 2010

Blyth Beach is an environment of understated beauty. 

The wind, sea, sand, and sky here are all insistent and uncomplicated: a weighty harmony of potent natural forces.

CURRENT incorporates illuminated elements along the front and rear cheeks of the new beach chalets. A number of cedar slats, which clad the huts are replaced with white LED lighting. A micro wind turbine is installed to the west of the chalets, and this system provides all the energy required to drive the artwork. Excess energy from the turbine, not used for illumination, is used for interior lighting and domestic appliances in the chalets.

The new beach chalets were designed by Keith Dillon from Idp Architects on Blyth Promenade, Blyth Links. The design of the artwork was developed in consultation with Screen and Forster, SENNTRi and NaREC the (New and Renewable Energy Centre). (Special thanks to Michael Screen for technical support)

CURRENT was commissioned by Inspire Northumberland for Blyth Valley Borough Council (now incorporated in the new Northumberland Borough Council) The project has been funded by BVBC, Northumberland Strategic Partnership and Inspire Northumberland.