 (2003), an ambitious work, was commissioned specially for BALTIC in Gateshead in 2003. From February to May of 2003 the BALTIC’s Level 4 art space was converted into the site for the production of this major work. 

 consists of 240 ‘Domain’ sculptures based on full body plaster casts of 240 volunteers of all ages from Newcastle and Gateshead. 

Each cast then became the basis for a unique ‘Domain’, a random matrix of welded steel bars forming a three-dimensional drawing in space. The work was exhibited alongside 

 (1997) and a series of Gormley’s expansion works, 

Describing this exhibition, Gormley has written:

‘It has been a great adventure bringing together, for the first time, these three groups of work made over the last ten years. They try, in different ways, to engage with the place, origin and freedom: big words, big works. Two of the installations grew to the size they are through collaboration - the result of an invitation to the citizens of two cities, Malmö and Newcastle/Gateshead and the engagement of local makers. This publication celebrates the evolution of 

, the third and most recent work, fabricated from beginning to end at BALTIC, transforming the great space of the top floor into a zone where life confronted art, literally head on.

I am amazed by the number of people who volunteered to be part of 

 They did so for all sorts of reasons, to be immortalised, to overcome their fear, or just because they liked the idea of being part of a work of art. Whatever reason they came, what they brought was energy, an energy that grew as the piece grew. Just as the work questions the limits of our bodies, so the participants were confronted by, and in many cases overcame, their own boundaries.’

Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art

, 1991/93 (foreground), cast iron and air, 104 × 125 × 120 cm and 

, 1991/93 (background), cast iron and air, 229 × 259 × 219 cm. Photography by Colin Davison, Newcastle.

, 1991/93, cast iron and air, 260 × 230 × 290 cm. Photography by Colin Davison, Newcastle.

, 2003, 4.76 mm square section stainless steel bar, 287 elements, dimensions vary. Photography by Colin Davison, Newcastle.

, 1996, reinforced concrete, 300 life-size elements derived from the dimensions of local inhabitants of Malmö aged 1.5 - 80 years. Photograph by Colin Davison, Newcastle.

Antony Gormley

Related content

Domain Field

Drawing On Space

Domains

Allotment, Malmö Konsthall, Sweden