A decommissioned North Sea platform, which is part of a project called SEE MONSTER being brought to life by NEWSUBSTANCE Collective as a large-scale public art installation, is on its way to its destination at Weston’s seafront Tropicana site to be reimagined into what is described as the world’s first and only repurposed offshore platform.
Back in October 2021, it was revealed that the town of Weston-super-Marewas selectedasone oftenlocations across the country tohostthisflagship,national arts and cultureinstallation. The North Somerset Council stated at the time thatSEE MONSTER will rehabilitate a former North Sea offshore platform and transform the retired industrial structure into a large-scale public art installation.
The work involved in repurposing the offshore platform into art was expected to take approximately two months and start in the spring of 2022. However, while the arrival of SEE MONSTER to Weston-super-Mare’s seafront was originally planned for July, based on an update in mid-June 2022, the arrival date was moved and thus, it was anticipated to be later in the summer.
In an update on Friday, it was disclosed that SEE MONSTER is due to arrive by sea at Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday, 12 July 2022. The 450-tonne platform will be transported on a flatbed barge as large as a football pitch to its new home at the Tropicana and lifted by crane over the seawall onto pre-constructed legs. Upon completion, the entire construction is expected to be 35 metres tall at its highest point.
According to NEWSUBSTANCE, visitors and residents to Weston-super-Mare will witness the transformation of SEE MONSTER – commissioned as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK – as construction takes place over the coming weeks.
SEE MONSTER concept; Source: NEWSUBSTANCE
NEWSUBSTANCE describes the transformation of thisdecommissioned North Sea offshore platform as a “world-first that is set to become one of the UK’s largest public art installations.” The aim of this project is to inspire global conversations about the repurposing of large industrial structures and design-led solutions to sustainable futures. Following completion, visitors will be able to experience SEE MONSTER from the seafront, beach and on board.
This project will featurefour publicly-accessible levels animated by a 10-metre-high waterfall; a 6,000-piece kinetic installation forming the “monster’s shimmering scales;” an onboard oasis of grasses, plants and trees selected to thrive in a seaside micro-climate; and a seated amphitheatre and broadcast studio, forming a platform for conversations about reuse and sustainable futures.
Furthermore, a phased opening at the Tropicana is scheduled to start over the August bank holiday in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
IT’S COMING!?
#SEEMONSTER, a decommissioned North Sea offshore platform, is due to arrive by sea into Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday, 12 July.
The 450-tonne platform will travel on a barge as large as a football pitch to its new home at the #Tropicana
#UNBOXED2022 pic. /esKUTwXieT
— SEE MONSTER (@seemonsteruk) July 7, 2022
