VISION OF THE FUTURE: look Out, the sculpture that is dominating the Debenham’s store at the MetroCentre.

Two Wearside firms were involved in producing a major piece of artwork – designed by a former Sunderland student -Cate Watkinson that will be seen by millions of people from all over the world.

Look Out – a futuristic sculpture containing metal spun spheres, will dominate the new Debenham’s store in the Metrocentre’s new Red Mall, an attraction for visitors, who visit the region from all over the globe, as well as being prominent to thousands of motorists who pass by each day.

It will be made of glass and metal and contains five metal spun spheres being manufactured by Tanfield Metal Spinners Limited based in Parsons Industrial Estate, Washington, will create Look Out’s five 1.5 meter diameter metal spun spheres, and then Architectural Metalworkers, at nearby Crowther Industrial Estate, will polish the spheres and complete the manufacture of the artwork.

One of the spheres will incorporate a time capsule with mementoes from people, schools and companies involved in the development.

SCHOOL CHIDREN from St, Aiden’s C of E Primary School, Gateshead, were at Tanfield Metal Spinners Limited, in Washington, to get a first look at Look Out, an ambitious new piece being metal spun.

The “basket” is made out of glass and metal and measures more than six metres in height. It is filled with metal spun spheres, each measuring 1.5 metres in diameter.

It will be lit up with many colour changes and is expected to be seen as another icon in the North East.

The unique piece of artwork is the creation of glass artist and designer Cate Watkinson, who set up her business at Newcastle Arts Centre in 1988.