headworks

Well, it’s official – after a visit to see a group of sixth form students at Bridlington School, green shoots have formed and the design process for Bridlington Headworks’ exterior has begun. As part of the community consultations I wanted to introduce the pumping station’s new art directive – and from the first of the three interactive workshops penned – hear the views and local insight of some very bright young minds.

Leading them lightly through both concepts and practical solutions for the commission, I was essentially looking to gather as much information about how they individually and collectively use the space around the promenade; and what exactly excited them about the area. I aspired to hear what nature of artwork they would be proud to have in their backyards.

With the materials and images I’d managed to forage, I encouraged small groups to create collages and mood-boards of things that interested them i.e. colours & textures etc. And whilst others discussed set questions, the remaining students teamed up to play with the glass, mirrors and torches to create mini light & reflection labs.

Part two to follow… !

The sea is a constant source of inspiration for me, so winning this commission to create a piece of artwork right on Bridlington seafront is just wonderful. Combined by the fact too that the location is just half an hour down the road from my Scarborough base and this is rapidly becoming the dream job! The ability to nip back on a regular basis to see the site in different light and weather conditions, or to contemplate my ideas whilst sitting in front of where they’ll eventually be has already proved hugely helpful and a real luxury.

The Headworks building has such a powerful natural environment around it – the immense beach, the often-dramatic sea and the huge expanse of sky – that I wanted the artwork to have an element of humility to it – an homage to this natural beauty. So rather than making something in competition to it, I’m trying to incorporate these qualities into the artwork itself.

Materials research is one of the first things to tackle for the commission. I’m looking at the use of silvered surfaces in order to reflect the surroundings in a creative way and project light onto adjacent surfaces. A frosted surface layered over mirror is another possibility – this results in the light still being bounced around but without a reflected image – the mirror sort of glows instead, which could work well from a distance and be visible as folk walk down the promenade.

I also want the artwork to have an element of change and interaction to it. The changing sky and seascape could be reflected within the artwork through the use of reflective surfaces.

More to follow soon.

Community Consultations Part i – Sixth form views

Early thoughts…