Jane and Louise Wilson: A Free and Anonymous Monument (2003)

The artists' most ambitious work to date, co-commissioned by BALTIC and Film and Video Umbrella, A Free and Anonymous Monument is a multi-screen video installation presented in the Level 3 art space. The work examines the process of re-invention undergone by former industrial areas in North East England through the use of architecture and its automated industry.

The film-based work focuses on a series of regional sites – all significant symbols of regeneration – to explore the process of reinvention undergone by former industrial areas in the North East through the use of architecture and its automated history.Sites filmed included Pasmore’s Apollo Pavilion in Peterlee; Owen Luder’s Gateshead Carpark; Atmel, North Tyneside; Cummins engine-works in Darlington and an offshore oil rig.

The commission toured internationally following its presentation at BALTIC in 2003 and formed part of the Visual Community Network involving five European venues and five exhibitions. Participating organisations were Baltic; BildMuseet, Umea, Sweden; Bergens Kunstmuseum, Bergen, Norway; Porin Taidemuseu, Pori, Finland and Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam, Holland.