PRESS RELEASE COURTESY OF MARS GALLERY
MARS Gallery are proud to announce sculptor Laura Woodward has been selected to create a new piece of major public art in the Docklands. Woodward’s winning proposal was chosen among a selection of Australian artists who were invited to pitch for the public art commission.
Woodward will begin production on the new public artwork titled ‘Murmur’ in June 2016 with installation into the laneway of the new Marina Tower mixed-use development proposed for May 2017. Located on the corner of Docklands Drive and Pearl River Road in New Quay, developed by Meteorite Group (part of Hiap Hoe Limited, listed on the Mainboard of Singapore Stock Exchange) and designed by DKO Architecture, the Marina Tower mixed use development will consist of 461 apartments, over 42 storeys, and a 273 room hotel operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide under the brand of Four Points by Sheraton.
Based in Melbourne, gifted artist Woodward has been creating sculptural kinetic installations for several years and exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions throughout Australia. Woodward is a lecturer in the School of Art at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne.
“‘Murmur’ is a cloud-like installation generated from 20,000 small points of light created with fiber optic lighting. Volumetric animations will flow through this cloud, inspired by naturally occurring patterns such as ocean currents, storm formations, wind movements, and flocking behavior; those natural forces that are ever-present in our urban environments.” explains Woodward
MARS Gallery Director and the project’s art consultant, Andy Dinan said, “Reminiscent of New Quay’s history as a bustling port, at times, ‘Murmur’ will move intensely, with brightness that converges and then dissolves in seconds. Allowing passersby to discover something new every day”.
Hannah Jonasson, Associate Director of DKO Architecture said Laura’s presentation of her concept to the team “instantly captured our imagination – we felt a surreal connection with this soft cloud of tiny lights which would undulate, intensify and dissipate through the atrium like the morning harbour fogs we experience.”
“Waves of light that start at each end of the lane tantalise passers-by to wander in, following the light forms and in doing so discovering the laneway itself. Enhancing pedestrian engagement with the lane, motion sensors cause these lights to subtly respond to visitors, creating moments of unexpected delight,” said Dinan.
“‘Murmur’ is responsive to the architecture and the creation of Place, draping itself around the heavy orthogonal lines of our two towers burying their legs into the ground plane. Together with her incredible technical knowledge, ability to articulate this clearly, and her production experience in urban interventions, we knew that this was the artwork we were wanting to engage with both the architecture and the public.” said Jonasson.
For further information, interviews or hi-res images please contact Andy Dinan At MARS Gallery:
Ph: 03 9521 7517
M: Dinan 0412 999 652
E: andy@marsgallery.com.au