Place to Place
Curtin University
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Microbiological
Macquarie Park Village
Site specific geographic wayfinding sculpture
Public Art
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Project details
Artist – Graham Chalcroft- Vertebrae
Photographer – Steven Brown Photography
Builder – JQZMicrobiological is a site specific sculpture located centrally at Macquarie Park Plaza. This brightly coloured sculpture acts as a meeting point for the community whilst the artwork alludes to the microbiology undertaken at the nearby science and technology research centre.
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Background
Tilt collaborated with artist Graham Chalcroft of Vertebrae to design and engineer both the central sculpture and the surrounding plinth.
Working closely with the artist, Tilt detailed the design, managed fabrication and completed installation of the multiple elements for this project.
The artwork extends beyond the central sculptural element to the surrounding plinth and intricate motifs etched into the landscape paving.
These microbiological motifs both guide the viewer towards the artwork whilst reiterating the theme of the central work within the space.
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Key challenges
Ensuring the artwork was proportional to the large plaza space and the surrounding buildings, the concept called for a sculpture almost 8 metres in height.
The large size and unique form posed a range of design and fabrication challenges to ensure that the structure would balance both the structural engineering and artistic requirements.
Given the size of the work, the challenges of installation and maintenance were also taken into consideration during the design phase. It was also important that the fabrication processes lent themselves to the curved and intertwined nature of the microbiological discs.
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The solution
The sculpture comprises of 6 intersecting discs, fabricated with an internal structural frame.
The colours utilised within the work are typical of Chalcroft’s artistic style and provide an emotive response to the surrounding space.
The plinth is designed to tie in with the surrounding landscape design and act as an inviting place for the public to sit and enjoy the plaza.
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Tilt provided exceptional design detailing documentation that maintained the integrity of Vertebrae’s artistic concept whilst cleverly concealing the internal structural engineering – Graham Chalcroft
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