Further developed preliminary ideas - Simone

Submitted by Simone Eisler on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 1:24am

Hi everyone, I've continued with my focus on the site as a lush island or oasis within a hard urban environment and generated some ideas inspired by research of Kemp Park place being originally known as 'Rosetta Swamp'.

This led me to develop sculptural tree like forms which serve as a memorial to a primordial forest...

* Accompanied by surprise and delight elements of morphed organisms inspired by past and present local flora and fauna - which may be scattered throughout the park and tree sculptures - perched or attached - some lying or curled beneath.....

* Making the past 'unseen' by referencing the ways different species of animals and plants have journeyed though and inhabited the site historically…hence making the site 'seen' by transforming the park into an inviting place to journey through and reflect and ponder as well as imagine future possibilities...

While thinking about surprise and delight morphed creature and plant interventions I wondered if the forest sculptures them-selves might start to sprout these hybrid creatures…

I'm imagining these tree like forms could feature at different levels at entry points to the park in arrangements that are inviting and not cluttered or inhospitable.

The tree forms and the morphed organisms could be hand sculpted from cement fondue with a buffed finish or carved wood...

With more research it may be possible to achieve a sophisticated coloured finish or patina on some of these art works... and there is a technique to treat the cement so it actually grows moss...

Other sculptural interventions of the morphed creatures could also be utilised via sandblasting or carvings in:

- seating

- on wooden poles

- in the pavement - via inlay (cutouts)

- in the underpass - in grills (for lights)

- as text for any of the above elements

I am still passionate about up-lighting the existing trees and also these sculptural forms to create an illuminated jewel of a park and entry way to the Valley... ;-)

Treating the site as an island or oasis within an urban environment and as a memorial to a primordial forest.

Research reveals that the Kemp Park place site of Fortitude Valley was formally known as Rosetta Swamp.

Transforming it into a place to reflect, ponder, imagine and journey through.

Tree like forms at different levels at entry points to park and within park in arrangements that are inviting, not cluttered or inhospitable.

Tree forms: Hand sculpted cement fondue or carved wood.

Referencing the past unseen – the ways animals and plants have journeyed though and inhabited the site historically…
Providing an imaginative interpretation towards future possibilities…

Surprise and delight elements of morphed organisms inspired by local flora and fauna scattered throughout these forms – some perched or attached – some lying or curled beneath…(to be developed – mockups only indicative of idea at this stage)

Morphed organisms: Hand sculpted cement fondue with buffed finish – sophisticated coloured paint/patina could be achieved with more research (Cast bronze or aluminum would be perfect but not within budget).

Potential to treat cement so it grows moss…..

While thinking about surprise and delight interventions I wondered if the tree forms them-selves might start to sprout these forms…

Comments

Simone's ideas operate on a few different levels here. The vertical elements herald pedestrian entrances to the park and flag interest for the motorist travelling along McLachlin Street (at the north-east corner of the park). Their tactile nature also invites touch and a closer inspection by the pedestrian user of the park. The colourful 'animal' forms would also contribute to people stopping and looking and not just rushing through the park to get somewhere else.

The historic, primordial 'story' that is being suggested here provides an altered perception of what 'is' and what 'was' and maybe what 'could be', but strongly presents the idea of the 'natural' world to the viewer. This is something that was suggested by the student group in recent workshops - but maybe interpreted in a unique way by Simone. Sculptural elelements and a sense of whimsy also came through in many of the outcomes of various teams' work last year.

Simone's concept delves into different territory by going back to the past, but presents 'nature' in a way that is evocative to the pedestrian user of the park and at the same time establishes an altered perception of the site that transcends this particular point in time.

Student comments .... ?

Peter

Submitted by Peter Boyle on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 11:21pm.