Hi-Viz
Creators: name: Shaw, Michael
Publisher: name: Loughborough University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 360602
subject: Fine arts

description: <i>Hi-viz</i> is an inflatable sculpture measuring 200m in length from end to end and occupies dimensions of 46 x 21 x 5.8m. This outcome employs inflated fabric to produce a site-specific response to architecture that choreographs the movement of viewers around the sculpture.It was commissioned by the 2024 Sydney Festival to respond to the wooden building of Pier 2 in Walsh Bay, located next to Sydney Harbour bridge. The outcome advanced a method of interrogating architecture through site-specific sculpture to a heightened and original scale, thereby producing a walking experience that took visitors up and down and around the building multiple times if they wanted to experience all the sculpture’s walkways and hidden enclosures. It encompassed a sculpturally guided journey where sculptural form compressed and expanded space, whilst allowing visitors to walk under sections of the sculpture where it crossed over itself. It did this whilst interacting with the building’s gridded network of supporting columns and activating space at different heights. Its physical size meant <i>Hi-Viz</i> could not be seen in its totality from a single viewpoint, but rather that an understanding of its geometry would accrue from multiple perspectives that combined to produce an experienced sense of a gestalt. In this way, it extends Donald Judd’s sculptural concept <i>Specific Objects</i> without resorting to illusion that pervades his work.The use of fluorescent colours strongly contrasted the brown aesthetics of the wooden host building, providing a striking contrast when viewed from within or outside the space and bathing the building in a halo of yellow and orange light. This provides a strong example of how textile sculptures can change the aesthetics of architecture through reflected colour. A quality further enhanced at night when the sculpture was lit with UV lighting.The sculpture was a key centrepiece of the 2024 Sydney festival and was located at the heart of the area they rebranded <i>The Thirsty Mile, </i>where all eight arts and music venues in the<i> </i>Walsh Bay Arts Precinct were used for festival events. To further animate the viewing experience, <i>Hi-Viz</i> was held in sonic dialogue with a specially commissioned soundtrack by musician spiritlightsmusic. It was also visually transformed at night through UV lighting and a shift to a night club feel, where on several occasions contemporary street dancers responded to the sculpture. The nocturnal trio of events Sculpted Riddims were programmed by dance artist Azzam Mohamed, who explained how “each of the 3 events showcases different communities, cultures, music genres and dance styles – from street to club to Afro dance styles – offering a totally immersive and inclusive experience.” The premise of delivery was multidisciplinary and nuanced according to the time of day.Alongside producing the main sculptural commission, I also worked with the festival’s designers to produce a version of the Festival’s motif S, inspired by the geometry and aesthetics of <i>Hi-Viz</i>. These commissions generated widespread international press responses, including articles in <i>The Seattle Times</i> and the front page of <i>The Sydney Morning Herald</i>, alongside a TV interview on the Australian breakfast news programme on ABC Newshttps://www.instagram.com/reel/C2eruLfIn6w/https://www.instagram.com/p/C2r9Ns_opry/https://www.instagram.com/p/C2TUzCfy-1E/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-06/the-sydney-festival-kicks-off-for-2024/103290322https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/here-s-the-kind-of-inflation-everyone-can-enjoy-20240104-p5ev2l.htmlhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/C0c0gNArd3T/https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1sUkepMKli/