New Public Artwork: Concrete forms enclosing, emerging, protecting, setting free
New Public Artwork in Port Stephens by Braddon Snape
Public art has come a long way in the past 15-20 years. Braddon Snape, well known artist and creator of “Exposed” and “Revealed - by Time & Tide” for Landcom’s new Vantage Estate in Port Stephens, contends, “it’s not the idea of plonking a well known artist’s work in some site and saying this makes this place better”. Rather, he says, “it really is integrated I suppose into the concepts and physical nature of the work, it is usually very well considered and integrated into the design of places”.
A considerable amount of planning and teamwork goes into a public artwork of this scale and relies upon more people, consultants, and technical experts than you would imagine. Snape credits the vision of Landcom’s John Sorby and assistance of Dave Cianci, principle of Artscape, for the success of his creation. Overall, collaboration by the following was integral to the process: client, project manager, public art consultant, landscape architect, landscape contractor & crane control, artwork 3D modelling, engineers for artwork fabrication, video production for documenting the process.
Technically the development was challenging and demanding as the concrete forms weigh up to 17.5 tonne, required a steel framework, fibreglass mould, and a tilting of the whole structure to set the concrete into the beautiful axis’ Snape designed to complete the composition.
Aesthetically this arrangement with smooth cast concrete surfaces, convex lines arching to points, are elegant and sleek like sailboats on different tacks silently gliding through the water. Instead of parting the water, this work parts the air and reveals the beauty of the surrounding area. Moreover, the landscape is experiential; the act of physically engaging with the forms is important in experiencing the work and the environment in which they are placed.
There is a fine line in an artwork’s ability to enhance the beauty and surroundings of its setting rather than dominate like the glitzy fame of a Hollywood star. “Revealed” acts as a unique picture frame for the exquisite natural surroundings and allows you to look at sections of the water, the trees, the sky, before delivering you, ‘revealing’ to you the entirety of the landscape. This is integration at its best.
You can watch a clip about the creation of this artwork below:
Career highlights include: Finalist in the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize 2009; Completion of The Journey a public art installation for the Mental Health Unit at The Mater Hospital, Newcastle Australia, 2009; His recent selection as a finalist in the prestigious McClelland Sculpture Survey & Award 2007 at the McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park, Victoria – one of the two premier sculpture awards in Australia; Completion of The SubWharfyen for Sydney Wharf, 2008; Selection in Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2003-2008 – winning the Unrepresented Sculptor Award in 2003; Completion of A Drop in the Ocean, a major public artwork/play sculpture for Newcastle City Council, 2005. unClassified, a solo exhibition at John Miller Gallery, Newcastle 2008; Negotiating the Void, a solo installation at Newcastle Region Art Gallery, 2004.
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