Published on Friday, 11 February 2022 at 4:00:00 PM
Two public artworks are set to shine on the streets of Perth and Leederville thanks to funds from developer contributions.
At the December 14 council meeting, the City of Vincent Council agreed to spend $215,000 towards an artwork in the William Street Town Centre and $80,000 for the Leederville Town Centre as part of the City’s Percent for Art scheme.
The scheme requires developers to contribute one per cent of the cost of any development over $1 million towards public artwork.
The artworks are part of the City’s Arts Rebound project and were funded by developer contributions within the Perth and Leederville areas.
Artist Marcus Canning worked with Globe TAG Architects and The Butcher Shop to design an artwork called The Globe, which will be installed on the corner of William and Brisbane Streets.
The design is programmable with light shows, for example one which speaks to the rising and receding of seasonal wetlands which were of practical and spiritual significance to the Whadjuk Noongar people, before being drained and filled in the 19th century.
Cruickshank Design Studio designed the Nuanced Encounters concept, which will be installed in the heart of Leederville, near the intersection of Oxford and Newcastle Streets.
The artwork is also programmable with light shows and will add to the lively social landscape and night life in Leederville.
Mayor Emma Cole said the works were selected because they promote the City’s community identity and a sense of belonging.
“The winning designs both incorporate lighting, so while they will encourage a connection with the space in the daytime, when the sun goes down the works will really come to life,” she said.
“Marcus Canning’s artwork will be able to engage with the community in a way that contributes to their understanding of William Street as a multicultural hub with a deep connection to Whadjuk Noongar history.
“The Globe will float above the intersection, bringing a real sense of excitement and energy to this great part of William Street.
“The Nuanced Encounters concept design is vibrant and dynamic and will reflect the diverse and progressive Leederville community.
“I am excited to see the two artworks come to life and become iconic landmarks in Perth and Leederville.”
Canning, who is the owner of The Rechabite and has done various public artworks across Perth, said The Globe’s features include a huge spherical frame that was suspended via cables from four custom poles over the intersection and covered in specialised LED lighting which allowed for animations and light effects to be pumped through artwork at night.
“The Globe was conceived in response to a potent brief from the City of Vincent and a sensational site,” he said.
“Similar to previous works such as Fremantle’s Rainbow entry statement, The Globe strives to be instantly iconic.
“It’s a work that is big, bold and has a lot of wow factor given both the complexities of hovering a huge structural form over a busy intersection of traffic and the dynamic animated light show aspects to the work.”
Canning said the intersection of William Street and Brisbane Street was a fantastic site, surrounded by a rich tapestry of businesses, buildings, public domains and diverse cultural histories
“The Globe will hopefully serve to stamp the site as centre and be a source of inspiration for the neighbourhood to continue to dream big and aspire large,” he said.
“Hovering high in the air at the site, The Globe is a big, bling beacon that will draw people in, make them think about their place in the world, and how the world is reflected in the neighbourhood around the globe.”
Ms Cole said both pieces were scheduled to be completed by late 2022.
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