21 September 2006 00:00
Connah’s Quay Power Station to star in art installation by synth pop legends Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Connah’s Quay power station is set to star in a unique art installation by synth pop legends OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark), to be unveiled at next year’s Manchester International Festival.
OMD, the band behind 80s hit singles Enola Gay and Joan of Arc, has recently reformed and has been filming at Connah’s Quay in preparation for an art installation exploring power stations in the north of England.
Sean Atton, Engineering Manager at Connah’s Quay Power Station, said: “I was a huge fan of OMD back in the eighties so it’s amazing to be involved with the project.
“We had the guys from OMD down at the station taking a look around and filming for a couple of days – which certainly caused quite a stir among the team - and now we just can’t wait to see what they create.”
The art installation is being designed in collaboration with graphic designer Peter Saville, who made his reputation with his design work for Joy Division and New Order, and was responsible for OMD’s early sleeve and stage set design.
Andy McCluskey, lead singer for OMD, is heading up the team working on the installation which will be accompanied by brand new ambient music written specially for the piece.
Andy said: “It’s been fascinating to get into Connah’s Quay and see what really goes on behind the doors of a power station like this.
“We’re planning on creating an installation which makes visitors really feel as if they’re inside the station - we’ve got some pretty impressive footage of the inside of the turbine hall itself which, combined with the music we’re working on, should be just amazing.”
Connah’s Quay has just celebrated 10 years of operation, generating enough electricity to supply over one million homes, equal to the annual needs of half of Wales.
“The end of August saw the 10th anniversary of all four units at the station being up-and-running – what a brilliant way to mark the successes of the past decade,” said Sean.
Ends
Notes to editors:
E.ON UK
• E.ON UK is the company that runs Powergen;
• Connah’s Quay Power Station was commissioned in 1996 and generates 1,380MW of electricity, roughly enough to cater for the power needs of over a million homes;
• Connah’s Quay is a gas-fired power station that uses Combined Cycle Gas Turbine technology to make it one of the most efficient power stations in the world.
OMD
• OMD has re-formed with band-members Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper and Mal Holmes lined up to tour the album ‘Architecture & Morality’ and plans to record a new album in 2007;
• For further information go to www.omd.uk.com.
Manchester International Festival
• An anticipated 160,000 visitors are expected to head to Manchester for the festival which is running from 28 June to 15 July 2007. It will be the world's first international festival of original, new work - created by leading artists from across the spectrum of credible popular culture, innovation and the arts.
For further information and photographs contact:
Emily Highmore on 024 7618 3680
Photo caption:
OMD lead singer Andy McCluskey with the team at E.ON UK’s Connah’s Quay Power Station