Nargiza Usmanova · CLIENT: Erin Mills Town Centre
Colorise is an art installation created for the fountain of a shopping centre. Twelve transparent plexiglass posts of varied heights and colours form a unified sculptural rhythm. The posts were made by bonding pre-cut plexiglass panels with acrylic cement to achieve clean edges without visible glue marks. Each post rests on a concrete base placed within the shallow water. Daylight and moving water pass through the coloured surfaces and create changing reflections. Visitors experience the shifting colours simply by walking around the fountain.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Colorise is an artistic installation designed as a colourful accent composition for the mall’s fountain. Twelve transparent plexiglass posts of varied heights and hues create a unified yet dynamic sculptural rhythm. Its distinction lies in the controlled interaction of light, water, and translucency, generating evolving optical effects. The work’s precision, material clarity, and spatial harmony distinguish it as an immersive, technically considered intervention.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 5000 mm x Depth 3500 mm x Height 2500 mm
- Tags
- Art installation, Visual arts, Plexiglass, Urban art, Reflections
- Production Technology
- Preparation began off site: the most technically demanding stage was assembling the posts themselves, carefully bonding pre cut plexiglass panels to achieve durable, clean edges without visible glue marks. Each post was thoughtfully positioned to preserve balance and flow.
The project statistics:
8 Plexiglass sheets, 8x4 ft
24 Concrete slabs
48 Bolts + nuts
96 Washers
Сolor transparent/translucent film and acrylic cement - Design Challenge
- The installation was completed during a public holiday, allowing the team to work in a quiet, empty mall. Preparation began off-site with custom concrete bases, carefully painted and drilled to support each acrylic post. The most technically demanding stage was assembling the posts themselves, carefully bonding pre cut plexiglass panels to achieve durable, clean edges without visible glue marks. On site, the elements were placed and aligned inside the shallow fountain using protective footwear. Each post was thoughtfully positioned to preserve balance and flow, resulting in a refined presentation that naturally complements the surrounding architecture.
- Project Duration
- The project started in February 2025 in Toronto and finished in May 2025, and was exhibited at Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga from the end of May 2025 until July 2025.
- Operation Flow
- Visitors experience Colorise simply by moving around the fountain. As daylight shifts, the transparent posts catch and scatter colour, creating new reflections from every angle. The installation does not require activation; its transformation occurs naturally through changes in light and water movement. This constant variation invites viewers to slow down, observe, and engage with an environment that subtly evolves throughout the day.
- Research
- The project is based on qualitative design research aimed at understanding how light, colour, and spatial rhythm influence public perception. Methods included site observation, material testing, and daylight studies. Data was gathered through visual analysis and small scale prototypes. Public interaction at the fountain served as an informal participant study. Results showed that transparent colour elements heighten engagement and slow visitor movement. Insights demonstrated how simple optical shifts can foster connection in shared spaces, informing future public environment design with accessibility in mind.
- Inspiration
- Colorise is inspired by the study of diversity, individuality, and collective harmony. Each acrylic post symbolizes a distinct presence, informed by research into colour perception and spatial interaction. The shifting reflections produced by daylight and water guided the project’s technical development, shaping a work that translates human interconnectedness into a precise, light responsive installation.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Maxim Zinchuk, Colorise, 2025.
Image #2: Photographer Maxim Zinchuk, Colorise, 2025.
Image #3: Photographer Maxim Zinchuk, Colorise, 2025.
Image #4: Photographer Maxim Zinchuk, Colorise, 2025.
Image #5: Photographer Maxim Zinchuk, Colorise, 2025. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Nargiza Usmanova, 2025.
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