PUBLIC ARTWORK
“Flourish” by Mandy
Ridley
Artwork comments by Gemma Garcia
What positive
attributes does the artwork contribute to the public space?
WALL ART -2013 “Flourish”. Southbank Ernest Street Tunnel .Public
Art Project
In my opinion the positive attribute is giving the public a
sense of space, colour, patterns, and a
way to enjoy the environment in this part of the city where it is very dark,
dirty and noisy due to the train underpass.
Does it fulfil the
original brief? Why?
Yes, the artwork is adapted to the public space, columns, and
walls, it is in relation to the environment and the design is integrated with
the open space.
The artist explanation is clear:
“The artwork evolves naturally from my art practice; that of
immersing people within a celebratory environment that can make an individual’s
lived experience visual and tangible
My conceptual response to the site of the Southbank Tunnels,
Flourish! Summons the interior in order to evoke qualities of home, security
and welcome. This design references fabric which is intrinsic to the history of
the site; that of the railway employee uniform. Motifs sourced from decorative
trim found on the uniforms provided ample impetus to the project Flourish!
The design is interpreted in two distinctly different colour
ways across the opposing sides of Ernest Street. Each palette is chosen for
particular effect allowing the pedestrian to vary their engagement with the
work during their daily traverse of the site. The Northern face is configured
with cooler serene blue green colours. The opposing South face presents a more
dynamic and lively burst of warm colours. Large arrow-like way finding motifs
embellish the ends of each surface. The aesthetic culture of the adjoining
retail/residential precinct likewise has impacted on this response, by emphasizing the contemporary trend to blur the distinctions between work and
home into a concept of lifestyle.
In both visual and practical terms, the highly fragmented
nature of the surfaces of the site required a nuanced response. Individual cut
out and patterned forms are combined along the length of the site with the
design mirrored on the other side of the road. The work plays with repetition,
hybridity and the use of pattern to build up interest and complexity,
transforming the pedestrian underpass into a dynamic multi-layered
installation.” [1]
How might the design
have been improved to be more successful?
I think, at the space where the artwork is, is adequate,
colorful and interesting.
My ideas for a
complete new design (existing, removed, same criteria)
I think each artist will have different ideas how to paint a
wall, the space is well completed (in the permitted areas) so I don’t feel I
need to complete anything more.
Annotation:
Taken pictures of the wall, I saw some graffiti
on the artwork and I was really disappointed with this way to deface the wall
artwork, so I decided to put some information in relation with this.
[1] http://www.visualartist.info/mandyridley/2013-flourishnbspsouthbank-ernest-street-tunnel-public-art-project
