Posts Categorized: Public Commissions
Eggebert & Gould, Milton Keynes Proposal
HS Projects was appointed by Gazeley Properties in 2006 to devise a public art strategy as part of the commissioning process for a ground breaking eco-friendly development for the Nova Business Park, Milton Keynes. We worked in close collaboration with the developers, Milton Keynes Council and English Partnerships in developing the public art strategy, artist brief and artist selection process for the main commission.
Following an extensive selection process and a shortlist of internationally acclaimed artists, Anne Eggebert & Polly Gould were commissioned in November 2007 for their concept that referenced the architecture of the monumental business distribution park with the experience of driving around Milton Keynes, a town screened by trees and embankments.
The artists developed their design for two sites, a square of densely planted silver birch trees within the development itself and a cinematic gateway sculpture surrounding a square of silver birch trees. The sculpture was designed to be animated by RGB colour LED spots to cast shadows of the trees against the translucent polycarbonate panels of the encasing structure. The lighting system was designed to be controlled by various weather sensors to react and reflect the local weather conditions. All materials were to be sourced from either recycled or recyclable components.
In 2009 Eggebert & Gould’s scheme was presented to the stakeholders who gave their approval and instructed the scheme to be prepared for planning. To date the scheme remains unrealised with only half the scheme completed with the planting of the square of silver birch trees within the development.
‘Sir Steve Redgrave’, Justin Mortimer
We were appointed by the River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames to deliver an artist brief for a portait commission of Olympic rower and world champion Sir Steve Redgrave for the museum’s main entrance.
Following a selection process, we commissioned Justin Mortimer who had recently earned extensive publicity with his portrait of Queen Elizabeth depicting her head floating away from her body against a yellow background. Mortimer spent time with Redgrave, shadowing his gruelling training regime. The painting is a study in concentration, will and commitment. By depicting the subject floating on the canvas, Mortimer glorifies the Olympic rower.
We commissioned ‘Sir Steve Redgrave’ in 1998 on behalf of the River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames and funded by the Edington Charitable Trust.
‘The Hand that Feeds’, David Hugo
For ‘The Hand that Feeds’, David Hugo responded to the re-development of the Exchange Putney, incorporating a large Waitrose supermarket by looking at the global supply chains that underpin the large variety of fresh produce offered to shoppers.
‘The transportation of goods through the medium of air and water is reflected in the experience of moving through the environment, of the access corridor and so the artwork. The artwork has been designed to offer a variety of different points of view and so different visual and perceptual experiences every time he or she encounters the work’ (David Hugo).
We commissioned ‘The Hand that Feeds’ in 1997 on behalf of Mercury Asset Management.