Belsay to become artists' wonderland; Visitors to throng to attraction at heritage showpiece.

Byline: Tony Henderson

ANOTHER crowd-pulling arts event is to be held at a Northumberland heritage showpiece.

And the battle between red and grey squirrels in the North has inspired one of the six leading artists whose work will go on show at English Heritage's Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens next year.

Running from May to September, the exhibition Extraordinary Measures will explore the concept of scale, taking visitors into an Alice in Wonderland world, say organisers. It will be the sixth in a series of contemporary art exhibitions to be staged at Belsay.

The last event in 2007, Picture House, attracted 75,000 visitors while the previous exhibition, Fashion at Belsay, drew 94,000.

The figure for last year's entire "normal" visitor season was 59,000.

"The events are a huge boost for visitor figures, with the work of the artists being in response to Belsay, its history and the fact that it is a magical and special place," said Judith King, Hexham-based curator of English Heritage's contemporary arts programme.

Highlights among the specially-commissioned installations include: The premiere of new sculptures by international artist Ron Mueck in the rooms of Belsay Hall.

A "Through the Looking Glass" experience within the Quarry Garden, by German-born artist Mariele Neudecker Mat Collishaw''s spinning wheel which will conjure up, within the great chamber of the medieval castle, a world of dancing imps and butterflies Tiny day-trippers facing everyday dramas within the gardens of Belsay, as documented by urban artist Slinkachu.

Knitter Freddie Robins retells Greek myths using knitted animals, dolls house furniture and objects from her childhood.

Figures who have responded to the unique setting in the past include Stella McCartney, Julian Opie, Paul Smith, Mike Figgis and Tilda Swinton.

The first event, Living at Belsay in 1996, attracted over 200 examples of modern design. This was followed in 2000 by Sitooteries, a display of contemporary interpretations of traditional summerhouses, and Sitting Pretty in 2002.

Fashion at Belsay in 2004 spread into the grounds and the castle, with installations by fashion designers such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Zandra Rhodes.

Three years later, Picture House saw film directors and producers, actors and artists fill the spaces with sound, scents and animation.

Simon Thurley, chief executive at English Heritage, said: "Every few years, we offer Belsay up to the cream of contemporary artists, giving them the opportunity to use the estate as a blank canvas for their imagination.

"New art and great heritage should not exist in separate closed-off worlds. So next summer, within the ancient rooms and beautiful gardens of Belsay, visitors will discover a universe where the miniscule is made massive and huge surroundings hide tiny surprises."

The artist Slinkachu, who has visited Belsay several times for Extraordinary Measures, said: "My work will take a humorous look at the obsession we have with the day trip, that English hobby which often provokes the full range of emotions."

The event is backed by Arts Council England, Northern Rock Foundation, One North East, Fenwick Ltd and Barbour Trust.

CAPTION(S):

PAST MASTERS left, Stella McCartney''s Lucky Spot and Zandra Rhodes' fashion exhibitions are previous incumbents at Belsay Hall. ENGLISH OBSESSION Artist Slinkachu takes a humorous look at our passion for going on day trips through his work within the gardens of Belsay.