Latest news from Loughborough University
| 31 October 2005 | PR 05/103 |
Competition is on to find University’s newest artwork
A group of art students from Loughborough University School of Art and Design are battling it out this week for the chance to have their work take pride of place in one of the University’s newest buildings.
Sculpture, screen prints and video are just some of the pieces in contention for the prestigious installation. All of the students’ art work will be on display at the University on Monday 31 October and Tuesday 1 November, when the judges will select the piece that will become the focal point in the new extension to the Sir Frank Gibb building.
Alan Bunkum, programme leader for Fine Art, explains the thinking behind the competition. “The project has provided LUSAD students with a number of exciting opportunities. They’ve not only participated in an inter departmental collaborative project but have also experienced the considerable demands of a professional ‘live commission’ and, of course, been able to work with Doug Streeter, the acclaimed architect.
“Without exception the students met their deadlines, produced materials and costing plans, and have presented their ideas to a panel on several occasions, and now they’ve finally arrived at the outcome stage of a challenging and broad range of art and design solutions.
“Their work will certainly add to the growing number of art works in the University collection already displayed throughout the campus,” Alan said.
Drawing their inspiration from a variety of sources, the students have created nine stunning original pieces.
- Multimedia Textiles student Jo Deeley has considered how the new building
will envelop the existing one, to create a hanging sculpture made from
a stainless steel mesh – the starting structure for a knotted
string and leather textile
- Vicky Audsley (Fine Art) was inspired by the contrast between the
accuracy and detail of the architect’s plans for the new development,
and the excitement and creativity of the people working within the building,
which led her to create black and white acetate prints, entwined with
transparent and coloured materials
- Ryan Dunn, a Multimedia Textiles student, based his designs on computer
circuit boards to create dual layer Perspex panels that use intricately
cut shapes
- Amy Plant (Multimedia Textiles) was influenced by shapes on the site
plans to produce geometric Perspex curves wrapped in coloured thread,
to compliment the architecture of the new and existing buildings
- Fine Art student Maggie Smith has developed a film to document the
occupancy of the building, featuring digitally captured memories interwoven
with fiction
- In her sculpture, Sarah Revelle (Fine Art) has fused materials associated
with the construction of the new building
- Rob Pratt, who is studying Fine Art, has produced a series of bold
screen prints to mirror the structure and industrial nature of the building
and the activities that will take place inside
- Printed Textiles student Amy Bakewell teamed up with Furniture Design
student Re Bouji to create an innovative ‘pigeon hole station’
for mail, influenced by the linear quality of the building’s architectural
drawings
- Jane Bowler’s textile work (Multimedia textiles) reflects the fusion between the organic form of the human body and the man made structure of machinery components
Simon Austin, from the Department of Civil and Building Engineering, is the design champion for the new building. He secured support from the Loughborough University Development Trust to cover the cost of producing the art works and the prize fund, and is one of the competition judges. “I have been keen to build bridges with the School of Art and Design for many years and saw this as an ideal opportunity,” Simon said.
“We were encouraged by the principal architect, Doug Streeter of Swanke Hayden Connell, who has helped brief the students on the purpose of the building and ideas behind it distinctive form. I am delighted by the results and am confident that most of them will find a home where they will add to the experience of building users.”
Staff, students and members of the public are welcome to view all the candidates’ work at the exhibition, which is being held in the James France building from 31 October to 1 November.
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For further information contact:
Hannah Baldwin, Head of PR, Loughborough University,
T: 01509 222239, E: H.E.Baldwin@lboro.ac.uk
Notes to editors
- Loughborough has an established reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with industry, and unrivalled sporting achievement. Assessments of teaching quality by the Quality Assurance Agency place Loughborough in the top flight of UK universities, and industry highlights Loughborough in its top five for graduate recruitment. Around 45% of the University’s income is for research. The University has been awarded four Queen’s Anniversary Prizes: for its collaboration with aerospace and automotive companies such as BAE Systems, Ford and Rolls Royce; for its work in developing countries; for pioneering research in optical engineering; and for its world-leading role in sports research, education and development.