Skystation ’ Ann Am Being Snaidhte by Peter Newman

Skystation ’ Ann Am Being Snaidhte by Peter Newman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Duais Airgid A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àirneis Sràide Competition Category.

AirgeadÀirneis Sràide· 2023

Skystation ’ Ann Am Being Snaidhte

by Peter Newman

Client: Peter Newman Studio

Duais Airgid A' Design Award Winner in Àirneis Sràide Category

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Colors

The Design

About Skystation ’ Ann Am Being Snaidhte

Tha Skystation na dheilbheadh eadar-ghnìomhach a tha cuideachd a’ toirt seachad suidheachain poblach. Tha cumaidhean na h-obrach air an dealbhadh gus a bhith a’ freagairt air cruth an duine a tha a’ laighe agus a’ brosnachadh meòrachadh air na speuran. Tha na suidheachain a tha e a’ toirt seachad coltach ris an rud ris an can NASA Neutral Body Posture, is e sin an cumadh a thilleas am bodhaig nuair a tha e saor bho bhuaidh grabhataidh. Tha Skystation a’ cruthachadh cothrom airson fois, meòrachadh agus eadar-obrachadh taobh a-staigh raon a’ phobaill. Tha e air a bhrosnachadh leis a’ bheachd ùr-nodha air cruth a’ leantainn gnìomh. Tha buaidh tuiteamach aige air a bhith a’ dèanamh chòmhraidhean eadar srainnsearan cha mhòr do-sheachanta.

The Recognition

About the Duais Airgid A' Design Award

Tha Skystation ’ Ann Am Being Snaidhte air Duais Airgid A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean den chiad ìre, àlainn agus drùidhteach. Tha buannaichean Airgid nan obraichean anabarrach boillsgeach agus gu math cruthachail a nochdas sàr-eòlas, tàlant agus geurchuis an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Skystation ’ Ann Am Being Snaidhte na obair mhìorbhaileach, na sàr-eisimpleir a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus gu domhainn ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Airgid A' Design Award na innleachd glè fhaicsinneach, ion-mholta a bhrosnaicheas crìochan ealain, saidheans, dealbhaidh agus teicneolais. Tha Skystation ’ Ann Am Being Snaidhte na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran eud, a dhùisgeas miannan, a bheir faireachdainnean math agus a thogas iongnadh is miorbhail.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Skystation is an interactive sculpture that also provides some public seating. The contours of the work are designed to fit the reclining human form and encourage contemplation of the sky.
The seating it provides is similar to what NASA calls Neutral Body Posture, which is the shape the body returns to when free from the influence of gravity. Skystation creates an opportunity for pause, reflection and interaction within the public realm. Conversations between strangers are almost inevitable.
Dimensions & Packaging: 4100mm x 4100mm x 675mm
Tags: Skystation, sculpture, bench, public art, installation, seating
Production Technology: Cast aluminium bronze, brushed satin finish.
Six segments were sand cast and precision cut, to align together on a stainless steel sub-structure. Assembled together on site.
Design Challenge: To realise the design as a permanent installation required production in a material that would last a long time and was in keeping with the aesthetic of the work.
Aluminium bronze is a material used in the marine environment due to its resistance to corrosion and seems fitting in redeveloped wharf of London.
A golden disk also has a symbolic association with the sun and the sky going back to antiquity.
The colour introduces a warm tone among the cool steel that characterises the district.
Research: Real world research was done with life size seating profiles, tested by a large number of volunteers, to be as comfortable as possible to a wide range of people lying down.
The chosen profile was then spun through 360 degrees and refined into a sculpture form.
Fibreglass prototypes of the finished sculpture were installed in various public locations. This has shown the positive impact of introducing an interactive sculpture into the pubic realm. It appeals to all ages and serves as a place-making element and encourages social interaction.
Inspiration: Inspired by the LC4 chaise-longue, by Le Corbusier, Perriand and Jeanneret and the modernist idea of form follows function.
Looking upwards is inherently optimistic, and something akin to thinking about the future. Cognitive research suggests we do our best thinking lying down.
Project Duration: Permanent installation at Canary Wharf, London.
Operation Flow: The sculpture can be used for sitting and lying down by up to 12 people. Although designed with adults in mind, children find the most inventive ways to interact with the shape.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #2: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #3: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #4: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #5: Photographer Google Landsat / Copernicus, Canary Wharf 2022