Client

Overview

A mirror polished inflated stainless steel public artwork with water element for the Riverlink Building on The Levee, Maitland, NSW, Australia. Commission by Maitland City Council. Integrated into the award winning Riverlink Building designed by CHROFI Architects, Clouds Gathering playfully draws on the associations of the adjacent Hunter River and its history of flooding. The playful water element and glistening mirrored cloud forms draws the community from the High St, through the aperture of the Riverlink Building out to the concourse of the river levee. Consisting of a cluster of mirrored clouds that emit a light shower of rain and breakaway clouds that scatter to the walls and ceiling of the open yet cavernous Riverlink Building, Clouds Gathering epitomises a successful collaboration and integration of public art and architecture.

Goals

The goal was to include a public artwork element that both integrates and further invigorates the architecture of The Riverlink Building. The addition of the water element was to add a playful aspect to the experience of the building and the artwork and to draw the visitor through the space to thus connect the high St to the social and recreational space of the River Levee.

Process

Successful collaboration was integral to delivering a successful and integrated outcome. Willingness of the architect to allow the artist to firstly respond and then interact with the unique and dynamic architecture of The Riverlink Building was crucial. From that point of openness for collaboration the artist, architect, engineer and client were able to collaborate to reach a common goal.