A COLOSSAL piece of public art which developers hope will establish Darlington as a cultural centre will be erected this week.

Work will start on the installation of Futurescope, at Darlington business park Lingfield Point, today.

The art feature is an outdoor exhibition of eight circular photographs and images measuring 45ft in diameter which will be displayed sequentially over two years on the eastern side of the Powerhouse.

The work, which has been commissioned by the business park’s owner, Marchday, will be visible from the Eastern Transport Corridor and the A66.

The first design for the Futurescope project will depict sunflowers and the artist behind it, Christian Barnes, has said that although he has ideas for the remaining seven designs, they could still change.

It is hoped the structure, which will be visible to many Darlington residents, will provide a gateway to the town and establish Lingfield Point as a cultural centre comparable to the Baltic in Newcastle or Mima in Middlesbrough.

Installation of Futurescope is due to finish on Thursday.