Extraordinary Measures

September 18, 2010
5:02 pm

Midas Powers Extraordinary Measures Exhibit at Belsay Hall

Extraordinary Measures is a world-class exhibition of contemporary art by leading artists, architects and designers….come to a place where size is off the scale, where the miniscule is made massive, huge surroundings hide surprises and ancient buildings hold something new. Extraordinary Measures will explore and play with the concept of scale, taking visitors of all ages into an Alice in Wonderland world of dark enchantment. Highlights among the specially-commissioned installations include the premiere of new hyper-realistic sculptures by Ron Mueck in the 19th-century rooms of Belsay Hall and photos of tiny day-trippers facing everyday dramas within the gardens of Belsay.

The brief for Midas was an interesting and challenging one, we were asked to power all exhibits within the 14th century castle, the adjoining out buildings and a remote site in the romantic quarry garden. All power generation had to be renewable, all infrastructures (cabling & distribution) had to be concealed and obviously the fabric of the buildings and gardens could not be compromised in any way.

Artist Freddie Robins spun a unique take on the Greek myths with a scene within the crevices of Belsay’s Quarry Garden which tells a tale of some of the most popular Greek myths. To create the scenes, she has used knitted animals and dolls house furniture as well as objects from her own childhood.

The piece needed to be illuminated but being so remote from any power source proved a challenge. The solution was a bespoke flight cased solar panel positioned high out of sight on top of the quarry walls, cabling ran discreetly down the quarry walls then underground to a dimmer pack with a remote control device to allow ease of operation for the installed lighting system.

We dealt with the Castles requirements in a more traditional manner, using a Midas JCB G20QX running on a remote tank, again cabling ran discreetly through the undergrowth gaining access into the Castle via the roof and a conveniently placed chimney. Then down into the Great Chamber powering Mat Collishaw’s latest piece ‘The Garden of Unearthly Delights’ when rotated creates, as if by magic, an animated scene of imps, birds and animals.

The machine also powered Tessa Farmer’s ‘The Den of Iniquity’ an animated film showing a dark depiction of Tessa’s skeletal fairies and their insect friends.

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Midas Generator Hire: Powering Extraordinary Art Installations

Midas Generator Hire was instrumental in providing comprehensive power generation and distribution solutions for the "Extraordinary Measures" contemporary art exhibition. This event, held at the historic Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens, presented unique challenges due to the diverse locations and sensitive nature of the artworks and heritage site.

The company's expertise ensured that all artistic installations, from those within the 14th-century castle to remote quarry garden sites, received reliable and appropriate power. Midas's commitment to innovative and discreet solutions was paramount in maintaining the integrity of the exhibition's aesthetic and the historical environment.

Renewable Power Solutions for Art Exhibitions

A core requirement for the "Extraordinary Measures" exhibition was the exclusive use of renewable power sources. Midas Generator Hire rose to this challenge by implementing a strategy that prioritised environmentally conscious energy generation, aligning with both the exhibition's themes and the client's sustainability goals.

This involved the strategic deployment of solar power for remote installations and the use of LPG generators, demonstrating Midas's capability to deliver cutting-edge renewable energy options for demanding event scenarios. The successful integration of these solutions highlighted Midas's role as a leader in sustainable event power.

Challenges of Powering Remote Art Installations

The "Extraordinary Measures" exhibition presented significant logistical hurdles in powering installations situated far from conventional power sources. The remote quarry garden, in particular, required a bespoke approach to ensure consistent, unobtrusive power delivery for Freddie Robins's unique interpretation of Greek myths.

Midas addressed this by deploying a specially designed, flight-cased solar panel system, strategically positioned out of sight. Cabling was meticulously routed down quarry walls and underground, connecting to a dimmer pack with remote control for easy operation, showcasing Midas's ingenuity in overcoming geographical limitations.

Concealed Power Infrastructure for Heritage Sites

Maintaining the historical and aesthetic integrity of Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens was a critical consideration for the "Extraordinary Measures" exhibition. Midas Generator Hire understood the necessity for all power infrastructure, including cabling and distribution, to be completely concealed.

This involved discreetly routing cables through undergrowth and utilising existing structures, such as chimneys, to access the castle interiors. This careful planning ensured that the power supply did not detract from the visual experience of the art or compromise the fabric of the heritage buildings.