Glow will highlight the remains of medieval Newcastle using large scale architectural light projections to present and join together cites both grand and intimate rarely seen by visitors or known to local residents. Several phases of development have radically altered Newcastle's visual landscape in recent years, and Glow aims to reveal buildings, spaces and views largely lost to the public, tucked away and "hiding" amongst late 20th century roads and buildings.
With lighting and large format projection using the architecture itself as a surface, and inspired by the vast heritage of the city, Glow will present a rolling series of images which attempt to express the essence of Newcastle and our relationship to it.
These stills will reflect the Glow locations and the city at large. Black and white images from a number of sources will be included; 19th century ordnance survey maps; the engravings of Thomas Bewick; The Morden Tower archive; Newcastle’s chief planning officer Wilfred Burns’ 1967 book “Newcastle: a study in replanning”; images of Grainger and Dobson’s urban environment, and contemporary photographs.
“Newcastle is a product of its modern development; industrial innovation, invention, engineering, steel, coal, shipbuilding, and more recently retail, service industries and tourism. The town has a more basic essence, the river, the burns that run into it, the hills, the walls and buildings. Most importantly it is about the people - where they live, work and come together, the pubs, the Bigg Market, St James’ Park, the universities. It is also about iconic images, individuals and locations. Attempting to get a handle on the essence of the place from this wealth of material, Glow expresses my view of Newcastle, drawn through all of these strands, and transposed onto the fabric of the city itself. Think of this as a visual exercise in Geordie Geography” - Phil Supple, Creative Director Glow 2008
Glow locations:
Medieval Town Walls
Newcastle’s town walls were built in the 13th century when in 1265 the burgesses of Newcastle decided to add to the defences of the castle to protect them from the raids of invading Scots. The walls were over two miles long, always at least 7 feet thick and up to 25 feet high.
Town Walls - Sally Port Tower
Tower Street, Newcastle
Sally Port Tower is one of only three towers remaining from the city walls to the east of the city. In medieval times it was from this gateway that defenders of Newcastle would sally forth against the enemy.
Manors 
Q2 Law Courts
Town Walls - West Walls
Bath Lane, Newcastle
This area is the most impressive section of Newcastle’s remaining city walls. It includes four of the wall’s original seventeen towers: Morden Tower, Ever Tower, Heber Tower and Durham Tower. Glow will be illuminating the West Walls at Gallowgate, Morden Tower, and The House of Recovery.
St James Q1 Central Station
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