JAMES HAYES
: PERCENT FOR ART COMMISSION : STRADBALLY, CO LAOIS : 2011
"Growth"
Stradbally Library & Arthouse Studios, 2011
Laser cut 3mm stainless steel float mounted 0.5cm on courtyard
wall.
6m x 2.7m (approx 19.7' x 8.9')
This artwork presents a large, eye-catching contemporary sculpture
for the garden space of the Arthouse Artists Studios. Of primary
concern is that the artwork will be a source of daily inspiration
to the artists using the studios. With this in mind I created
an artwork which acts like a Rorschach inkblot. The positive
and negative shapes of the artwork, the changing light and colours
on the polished metallic surfaces will allow the artists and
other visitors to free their imaginations and to see what they
will in the artwork.
Taking the idea of growth for inspiration, this artwork began
as a series of swirling natural forms, like vines on a wall.
The repeating forms create patterns and reflections, to show
motion, to suggest the process of life. Taking this theme
further, a composition was developed which flows into an organic
growth, a curling pattern that is self-similar and is based
on a classic "Dragon" fractal, a swirling form in
contrast with the linear structures of the architecture of
the building, yet still very mathematical itself. This brings
natural forms into the modern structure, which will be complimented
by the action of people moving through the space. It provides
a pleasing contrast to the geometric forms of the architecture.
The large-scale artwork reflects the changing light during
the day, brightening shadowy spaces and further extending
the 'abstract' pattern of this design. With the evening indoor
lights reflecting onto the artwork, it will continue to shine
at night and during the winter months.
This opportunity has been very important to my practice as
a sculptor. I have been challenged and engaged by other site-specific
opportunities in the past, but opportunities such as this
providing the freedom to realise large-scale ideas are few
and far between.
For more info and a better view of the images right,
simply click on them
I figured this fractal out on paper
while doing a long haul flight to Chicago, when I got
home I wrote it up in ActionScript. This Flash movie employs
mathematical calculations, the dynamic building of a database,
and draws the image to screen on the fly (not a pre-drawn
animation). 4KB
Click on the thumbnail images below to see larger images.