Screenshots from 3d model.
artist’s statement
SoundUnit
public art commission: Rolls-Royce in partnership with Chichester District Council and University of Chichester.
site: Bishop Otter Campus, ArtOne building, University of Chichester.
For this public art commission I wanted to make something more than an object. Something that could function as a place for dialogue between the ‘art world’ and the rest of the campus. As the artwork is situated in front of the Fine Art building I designed an open space that functions as a satellite for the foyer of the building. A space like a pavilion that can be used to hang around, or for temporary exhibitions or performances. In short a structure that allows something else to happen.
The main shape of the artwork is based on an ellipse with three focus points, and the curved surfaces are made from brick. This particular ellipse shape is created in collaboration with Dr. Robin Hankin (uncertainty analyst, National Oceanography Centre Southampton). He has written software which enables me to draw the shape of an ellipse with three focus points digitally, which I then manipulate with 3D modelling software. We are also looking at reflections from the elliptical curved wall and initial computations show that there are some interesting sound reflections possible.
Once the artwork is built it can start to operate, by participation of the students who will find new and unforeseen ways to use it. I see this participation as an actualisation of the artwork. Not in a utopian, modernist sense of working towards an ideal, but a bringing together of matter and ideas, a flux of action and reaction, a testing ground, an artist’s lab.
The title ‘Sound Unit’ emerged from the multi-layered context, and can refer to a singular thing or to an ‘integrated assembly of parts that performs a subsidiary function’. It might also refer to the fields of education, mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
Walter van Rijn
See also University website: www.chiuni.ac.uk/fineart/commission
Next stage> Stage One, Design development
Rolls-Royce press release:
ROLLS-ROYCE COMMISSIONS INTERACTIVE ARTWORK
10 April 2007, Goodwood
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced details of the winning design for a permanent large-scale artwork to be situated at the Bishop Otter campus, Chichester University. Winning artist Walter van Rijn’s design for a Sound Unit in the shape of an ellipse was the unanimous choice by the panel of judges. The competition for the commission was open to artists worldwide, in partnership with Chichester District Council and the University of Chichester.
The winning design is both sculptural and, once completed, the Sound Unit will have the potential to be used as a place to meet, or as a container for another temporary artwork, theatre or dance. The shape of the sculpture is related to an ellipse with three focus points, and openings that not only allow the public to enter, but also allow sound and light to interact with the shape. The walls will reflect, focus and distort the outside audio-visual world into an original configuration at the inside of the sculpture. The unit will be made mainly from curved forms created from brick.
This significant artwork is scheduled for completion by spring 2008 and will be situated outside the Fine Art building – called artOne – at the University, where the space favours a large-scale sculpture or landscaped work.
Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said; “We believe creativity is a vital part of business success and so we take great pleasure in encouraging creativity in the world of art as well. I am delighted that this contemporary work of art will be the artist’s first public commission. Rolls-Royce is committed to supporting fresh talent – for instance, our own apprenticeship scheme is now in its second year.”
The brief for the competition stated that the work should aim to promote the idea that public art can be aesthetically adventurous while displaying sensitivity to the context of the University environment.
In his proposal, Walter van Rijn said; “It is my intention to use the particular functions of this site (higher education, semi-public open space) as a positive element for the sculpture. In some way I would like to bring something of the function of the artOne building outside, a space to experiment with”.
The independent panel of judges comprised sculptor Bruce Williams, Frances Lord Public Arts consultant, Anne Bone Chichester District Council Arts and Heritage Development Manager and University representatives Steve McDade, Head of Fine Art, Tim Sandys-Renton Senior Lecturer and Tad Kowal, Fine Art student representative.
The artwork will generate local and regional interest and Anne Bone, Arts and Development Manager, Chichester District Council said, “This is an important example of partnership in commissioning for all the partners and a very interesting exploration of the relationship between art and science – which is particularly appropriate with the involvement of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the University. To give a local artist this opportunity is also a bonus for the district’s creative industries and shows that the Chichester district is a good place to do business and learning.”
vvvr
