A new viaduct carrying the HS2 line into Birmingham’s new Curzon Street Station will become an artwork.
HS2 Ltd has revealed the design by artist Liz West for the 150-metre section of the route.
Called Out of the Blue, the artwork is designed to have an impact on the city’s skyline by adding a “dynamic colour palette to the apertures of the steel truss”.
Liz said: “The core concept of my work is to depict and symbolize a physical and metaphorical meeting point of colours, people and spaces, linking locations through the creation of an immersive, atmospheric and experiential encounter.
“The use of colour, light and form creates a sense of connectivity and movement, echoing the ways in which the public use, navigate and experience train travel.”
The curved truss is 150-metres long and 25 metres tall. It will be assembled on the ground and then launched into its final position over the existing Victorian brick rail viaduct.
High speed trains will cross the bridge to leave the city towards HS2’s Washwood Heath depot.
HS2 Ltd’s design director, Kay Hughes, said: “Our design ambition for the Curzon 2 bridge is to create an elegant, iconic structure, fitting of its prominence on the Birmingham skyline, creating a legacy for HS2 and contributing positively to the city’s identity day and night.
“The curved truss design celebrates Birmingham’s industrial heritage, and we’re pleased that we’ve been able to engage a prominent artist to work with our architects to create a distinctive lighting installation, which will be a striking addition to Birmingham’s city skyline.”
The designs can be viewed at an engagement event between 4pm and 7.30pm on 15th December from 4pm to 7.30pm at West Midlands Fire Service’s HQ on Vauxhall Road. Spaces can be booked online.
