sITUATE - fORREST pLACE sCULPTURE cOMPETITION

It is an international sculpture competition for Forrest Place, in the heart of Perth, Western Australia.

Forrest Place, which is the location of a proposed major multi-million dollar upgrade, has been announced as the site for the artwork.

$1 million is being offered for an artwork to transform the city landscape.

https://situate.dca.wa.gov.au/ - 02/10/09

Winner
James Angus, Sydney
A biomorphic form, a non-representational pattern that resembles a living organism.
http://www.watoday.com.au/lifestyle/forrest-place-sculpture-finalists-announced-20090904-faro.html - 02/10/09

pURPOSE

The competition seeks to explore ideas of contemporary sculpture in its broadest sense. It encourages the formation and strengthening of collaborate and sustainable relationships between the people that design and build our cities. It explores the intersection of art practice with other design disciplines to form an overall vision for a modern, dynamic and diverse city.

The primary aims of the project are to:
- Provide a landmark, permanent artwork that will enrich the Perth CBD.
- Encourage new partnerships between artist and other design professionals.
- Explore new models for the design and commissioning of art in public spaces.
- Stimulate discourse and debate surrounding art in public spaces.
- Contribute to public awareness of art practice of an international standard.
- Allow West Australian artists and design professionals to compete in an international context.

https://situate.dca.wa.gov.au/the_competition - 02/10/09

mY cRITIQUE

"Public art can transform the space in which it exists, creating a place that people choose to meet at and want to be in."

That was said in the WAtoday.com.au. Accordingly, the winner design from my point of view, it does not fully fit for the site. The sculpture is a ‘non-representational pattern that resembles a living organism’ which it is just an object nice to be look at. It does not attract the public to interact with it. The shape of the sculpture is nowhere to be ‘inhabited’ as in to be sitted on or provide shelter.

On the other hand, one of the finalist has striked me better. The idea of the northern gateway filled with aerial imprints of the Western Australian landscape brings more connection to the public.

Dimmity Walker, Perth - one of the finalist
The artwork signifies the northern gateway to Forrest Place. A steel and glass form, it uses the image of an unfolded map to describe the explorations of John Forrest. Surface imagery is derived from aerial photographs of the Western Australian landscape which is perforated into steel. Backlit glass panels, which wrap around the form, contain references to his journeys.
http://www.watoday.com.au/lifestyle/forrest-place-sculpture-finalists-announced-20090904 faro.html - 02/10/09