Notices:
Projects
Two new public art projects in Derby City Centre
Vertical Gardens
The ‘Vertical Gardens’ have been designed and created by artist, John Packer. Not only will these unique structures create an attractive piece of public art, they will provide valuable habitats for nesting wildlife within the city centre.
Vertical Gardens, Derby City Centre
John Packer
The sculptures contain native British rock plants, specifically chosen to attract insects, butterflies and small birds. They are designed to enhance the streetscape and to prompt people to think about biodiversity and the importance of green spaces and gardens in the city. Initially only the structures with the planted seedlings will be visible but the plants will grow and flourish, starting in the spring. The plants will not mature for at least 2 years but as living sculptures they will change with the seasons creating interest.
In order to promote public awareness of urban wildlife and working closely with the RSPB, John has incorporated into the design a number of nest boxes for various species of birds. It is hoped that local people will be encouraged to take an active interest in the wildlife in the city centre.
Traffic Street mural
Westfield has also commissioned a brightly-coloured mural, jointly designed by a Derby artist and local schools, as part of the public art programme surrounding the £340 million development of Westfield Derby shopping centre.
Traffic Street mural, Derby City Centre
Design by Lynne Hollingsworth
The mural has been painted along the Traffic Street underpass, the main entrance linking the train station to Westfield Derby.
Winners of a competition run with local schools had their drawings included in the mural which has a shopping experience theme, designed by Lynne Hollingsworth, a Derby-based artist with over 15 years experience working with local communities.
Further details about both projects:
Kate Ward, Public Art Co-ordinator; Tel:07799 424 349; Email: kate.ward@westfield-uk.com
http://www.westfieldderby.co.uk/public_art.htm
(Uploaded 01.08.08)
The Hub in Workington
3D sound installations have taken a significant step forward in the unlikely setting of Workington, Cumbria.
The Hub, Workington
Billed as "the world's first permanent outdoor 3D soundfield", The Hub also includes a clever clock and some spectacularly innovative public toilets.
Speakers in the canopy and at ground level create fully-ambient, multi-directional surround sound. The installation comes with a soundscape of pigeons and dogs, a train, children playing, bells and voices) created by Illustrious Company, comprising Vince Clarke (of Depeche Mode) and Martyn Ware (of The Human League and Heaven 17) who now specialise in 3D sound compositions.
Illustrious Company's two-hour soundscape will be heard on a continuous loop every day between 9.30am to 6.30pm.
Further details: http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/default.aspx?Page=1580
(Uploaded 10.07.08)
Idris Khan: Fragile: A New Public Art Commission
A specially commissioned permanent public artwork, Fragile by Idris Khan, has recently been installed in London. Fragile is artist Idris Khan’s first permanent public artwork and is sited in the entrance to 7 Howick Place, a former Royal Mail Sorting office that has been newly converted into a space dedicated to art, fashion and design in London’s Victoria.
Image © Idris Khan / Thierry Bal 2008
Comprising four individual films, Fragile will be played across a set of sunlight-readable LCD screens embedded into the pavement outside the entrance to 7 Howick Place. This is the first ever outdoor installation of floor-mounted LCD screens in the UK, developed especially for the project by Flasma.
For this commission, the artist collaborated with a set designer, architect, lighting designer and photographer to convert his studio into a 1950s post sorting office entirely constructed in cardboard, paper and tape to create a surreal environment in which the films were produced. Fragile is the first permanent moving-image public artwork approved by Westminster City Council and will be on view daily between 7am and 1am.
Further details: contact Project Curator, Deana Vanagan; Tel: 020 8563 9465; Email: deana@artwisecurators.com
(Uploaded 10.07.08)
Turning Wall, Birmingham
An artist/architect collaboration between artist Rob Colbourne and Bryant Priest Newman Architects has resulted in a new artwork in the entrance area of the architects’ practice in Birmingham.
Turning Wall
Image credits: Rob Colbourne and Tom Doling
The resulting artwork: “Turning Wall”, reflects the building’s former use as a silversmith’s, producing the engine-turned barley pattern on cigarette boxes. The artwork creates a ‘memory’ of the building's former use, whilst also exploring the context and ethos of the present use of the building.
The practice has a history of working collaboratively with artists and believes in the benefits artists bring, such as a deeper understanding of place.
The brief invited artists to respond to the surface, texture and light within the space and how it changes the nature of the way 3D space is perceived. It also encouraged the artist to respond to the work and process of BPN, to reflect or have insight into some of the things they are working on and comment on the nature of art/architecture collaboration. v
The industrious and painstaking process of putting the tape on the wall comments on what is a machine-like process, and what is crafted, reflecting the tensions of the previous use of the building.
Further details: www.bryantpriestnewman.com
(Uploaded 10.07.08)