Produced by Studio Arts Television Ltd with the support of Northern Arts a film on the development, construction, installation The Angel of the North in Gateshead. The film speaks with many of those involved in the construction of the sculpture including its designer Antony Gormley OBE. In his London studio, artist Antony Gormley explains that although he knows he is an outside, he hopes it [the Angel of the North] can be a focus for the resilience of a community that is going through a...

Produced by Studio Arts Television Ltd with the support of Northern Arts a film on the development, construction, installation The Angel of the North in Gateshead. The film speaks with many of those involved in the construction of the sculpture including its designer Antony Gormley OBE. In his London studio, artist Antony Gormley explains that although he knows he is an outside, he hopes it [the Angel of the North] can be a focus for the resilience of a community that is going through a transformation, a community that has vitality, energy and potential. Over the opening title molten metal being poured and a laser cutter being used to cut sheet metal. Title: Out of this World Title: The Making of Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North A montage showing the construction, transportation and erection of the Angel of the North on a hill at Low Eighton in the Lamesley parish of Gateshead. Interview with Sid Henderson of Gateshead Council who explains the importance of the arts in the borough for revitalisation. On the beach at Cuxhaven in Germany a number of the hundred cast-iron figures erected in the sand, part of Gormley’s ‘Another World’ exhibition. Local people in bathing costumes pass the figures while large cargo ships come and go along the nearby estuary. In a warehouse the exhibition ‘Field’ made up of 40,000 terracotta figures laid out on the floor. Antony Gormley and Sid Henderson talk about how the Angel of the North was initially conceived and how Gormley became involved. A montage of various models created of the Angel during the development phase and a computer animation showing the finished sculpture in place. An empty Gateshead Council chamber changes to interviews with two members of the Gateshead Council’s Arts in Public Place Panel, one who is in favour of the sculpture, the other not. Sid Henderson also makes comments. At sunset the industrial landscape around Hartlepool changes to a the large factory unit, writing along its wall reads ‘Hartlepool Erection Group’. In his office Bill Stalley, Managing Director of Hartlepool Steel Fabrications Ltd, talks about the construction process of the sculpture. Chris Jeffrey, Director of Engineer Gateshead Council, see the construction and weld similar to that of building a ship. As Sid Henderson provides details on the engineering project to build the sculpture, a computer animation shows the sculptures feet and how the pieces would be put together in sections. Inside the fabrication workshop Antony Gormley listens to a man who is talking to him about various pieces of steel that will be used, around him men at work cutting and welding section of metal. In his office Chris Jeffrey explains the type of steel that is t be used known as COR-TEN or Weathering steel. Back in the fabrication workshop a man stands at the controls of a computer profiling laser cutting machine which is cutting the Weathered steel to Gormley’s specific specifications. Chris Jeffrey and Antony Gormley provides details on the site chosen for the sculpture and its suitability. A computer animation is used to show the layout of the site which was a former mine workings and labour being undertaken to prepare the foundation which will be used to disperse the weight of the Angel. From the hill site at Low Eighton traffic moves along the nearby A1 motorway below. On the sculpture site itself an industrial earth auger is used to drill holes into the concrete foundation for the steel piles which will support the structure. Again, another computer animation showing development of the figures body and head. Standing over a drafting table at Hartlepool Steel Fabrications Ltd, Mike Wood provides details on the work he does overseeing the fabrication of the Angel. As he talks workmen in the workshop itself working on various sections of the sculpture. The film changes to Antony Gormley looking over the plans in the office speaking with the men around him about the work that is presently being done. A computer animation showing how the Angel’s wings will be attached to the body changes to the fabrication workshop and Antony Gormley explaining that he is here to check how well the skin of the sculpture fits to its exoskeleton as well as check the quality of welding. In a small conference room Antony speaks with Mike Wood and others from Hartlepool Steel Fabrications Ltd about the welding. Back in the workshop sparks fly from the steel grinders working the various sections of the sculpture. Antony Gormley explains his expectations and specification for the construction of the Angel, and how each of the discrete procedures will leave its own mark. Antony walks across the workshop and picks up a section which will form part of a wing, he explains how it will fits into the finished sculpture. Back in the conference room he provides details to the fabrication team about how that piece of metal seen in the workshop will fit as part of the Angels guttering. As Mike Wood talks about work being carried out and the process of fitting the head and body sections together, a montage of men at work in the fabrication workshop cutting, grinding and welding sections of steel. The shape of the body can be seen laying horizontal on the workshop floor. Another meeting between Antony Gormley and the fabrication team on current progress changes to him in his studio talking positively about the experience of working with the designers and engineers on this project. Another man sitting in his office explains that the Angel is a ‘celebration of northern engineering skills’ changing to Antony speaking with one of the fabricators on site in Hartlepool, around them men continue to work on the body of the Angel. With a smile Anthony emerges from inside the body of the Angel, he sees it as like being in a coalmine. He wonders around the workshop looking over various section of the Angel while men continue to work around him. In his London studio Antony Gormley talks about the joy of the collaborative elements and the base of skills working on it. Back in the Hartlepool fabrication workshop in October 1997 Anthony looks over one of the wings that sits on a plinth that has or is nearly completed, he is positive about the work that has been done pointing out various design features and welds. Another fabrication meeting with Antony Gormley changes to December 1997 and the body of the Angel slowly being driven out of the fabrication workshop and lifted by heavy cranes so that it can be turned around. Workmen watch carefully as the body of the sculpture is erected horizontal and laid back down. Back inside the fabrication workshop Antony points out the markings on the sculpture which he says will disappear in the first year. He believes it is important that these piece of evidence are left as they add to the character of the work. Welders in the fabrication workshop work fit the external ribs of the Angel to the body changing to the site for the Angel at Low Eighton. Traffic moving past along the A1 motorway and scaffolding has been erected around the spot where the sculpture will sit. Back in the fabrication workshop Antony Gormley talks above being comfortable with the scale of the object. Another meeting with Antony and the fabrication team about the work that still needs to be done especially with regards the head. As Antony continues to talk men in the workshop grinding and welding the head which is separate from the body in its own building. Back in the workshop Antony talks about the importance of public access to the sculpture through the media. At the base of the head the word ‘HEAD’ painted on it and a large crane lifts it into position for it to be fitted to the body. Sparks fly from the welding tools which are joining the two parts together. In another meeting Antony Gormley talks about how he sees the Angel fitting in with the local environment and the potential noise it will make. In the workshop he continues to talk about the potential sound, or songs as he puts it, the sculpture might make when wind passes through it. He walks along one of the wings jumping into the air, the sound he makes reverberates around the workshop. Another meeting to discuss the installation and what wind-speeds or wind direction will cause problems. Everyone laughs as someone mistakenly give mile-per-second rather than per hour. February 1998 and a Heavy Transport low-loader parked beside the body of the sculpture in the fabrication workshop, in the background the sparks from men still working on in. Another meeting to discuss when the Angel will leave Hartlepool is intercut with the body being pulled slowly out of the fabrication workshop. As the meeting discusses the journey north the film changes to the body beginning its nighttime journey. As it comes to a stop at a point along the route people come over to touch it, they are asked their opinion of the Angel. Three children climb and sit on the Angels unturned feet. As the sun rises at Low Eighton a crowd stands watching as the body is slowly erected by a 500-ton cranes. Many of the spectator film the event with cameras, a van set up nearby sell teas and hot food. In his office Chris Jeffrey explains the challenges of erecting the structure, another computer animation helps illustrate his points. On site John Thornton from Ove Arup Engineering explains the installation process. As he talks engineers work to make sure the footplate lines up with the bolts on the concrete base. Antony Gormley is also on site and is surprised, but pleased, that the install has gone well. Others from the project also express relief that it has all gone to plan. A computer animation to show how the wings will be lift and attached to the body. Antony Gormley and other members of the project team watch on as the first wing is slowly moved into position and then lifted in readiness to be attached to the body. A vox pop with some of the spectators watching about what they think of the sculpture. A camera crew and reporter stand atop a BBC Outside Broadcasting van recording the event, nearby other members of the media standing beside various news cameras. A helicopter flies around the Angel as the first wing is moved into position. On board the helicopter views of the Angel and crowds watching below. Art Consultant Jay Jopling talks about the Angel which he describes as an ‘inspirational sculpture’ and a beacon for the regeneration of the area. As he talks more views of the sculpture from the helicopter. Two policemen join the crowds watching as the second wing begins to be lifted into position, in the air the helicopter hovers nearby. Over views of the now installed Angel of the North a vox pop with both those who have worked on its installation as well as the spectators watching. All are positive about its impact on the local landscape. As the sun begins to set engineers continue the process of anchoring the sculpture in place as visitor come over to look up at massive structure. In the wind and rain beside the Angel of the North, Lord Grey Gowrie, Chairman of the Arts Council England gives a speech recognising the work of Antony Gormley in producing this piece of public art. Antony stands nearby listening, he then thanks many of those whom he has collaborated with including Gateshead Council and Ove Arup. From a helicopter aerial of the Angel of the North changes to Antony Gormley in his London studio talking about his hopes for the future impact of the sculpture. Several people who have featured in this film give their opinion on what has been built, all are very positive. Sid Henderson comments on the importance of art to prevent stagnation and Pat Connarty, a former councillor, is very proud of the sculpture seeing it as part of a new era. Back in his studio Antony says that artists have to be positive, they can’t be pessimistic. The film ends on views of the Angel of the North during winter with the landscape and structire covered in snow. Still images during the fabrication process are intercut into the closing credits. Credit: Produced by Trevor Hearing Edited by Neil Marshall Title: With thanks to Antony Gormley OBE Title: Gateshead Council, Hartlepool Steel Fabrications Ltd, Ove Arup Title: Neil Carstairs, Chris Jeffrey, Anna Pepperal, Andrea Schlieker, Robert Schopen, Bill Stalley, Mike Wood Title: and the profilers , fabricators, welders, erectors and other skilled men who helped build the Angel of the North End title: Made with support of Northern Arts. © Studio Arts Television 1998