Tees Valley Giants, Large-scale sculpture series in Middlesbrough, England
Tees Valley Giants is a series of five monumental steel art installations spread across the region. The first completed work, Temenos, rises as a striking structure composed of a central pole, circular and oval rings, and intricate wire networks connecting these elements.
The project began in 2008 through a partnership between sculptor Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond. This collaboration represented a new direction for large-scale art installations in British public spaces.
The name Temenos derives from Ancient Greek terminology, referring to land designated for divine purposes, reflecting the connection between modern art and classical heritage.
Temenos stands near Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge and Riverside Stadium, making it easily accessible from both landmarks. Both locations offer good vantage points from which to view the installation from different angles.
The structure merges engineering with artistic vision in a way that sits within the flat industrial landscape of the region. The geometric wire patterns emerge through the viewer's perspective and shift constantly depending on the angle from which you look.
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