Skystation Ibhentshi Sculptural by Peter Newman

Skystation Ibhentshi Sculptural by Peter Newman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweFanitshala yeSitalato Competition Category.

IsilivereIfanitshala yeSitalato· 2023

Skystation Ibhentshi Sculptural

by Peter Newman

Client: Peter Newman Studio

Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award Winner in Ifanitshala yeSitalato Category

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Colors

The Design

About Skystation Ibhentshi Sculptural

I-Skystation sisculpture esisebenzisanayo esikwabonelela ngeendawo zokuhlala zoluntu. Iikhonto zomsebenzi ziyilelwe ukuba zilingane nemo yomntu eleleyo kwaye zikhuthaze ukucinga ngesibhakabhaka. Indawo ehlala kuyo iyafana noko i-NASA ibiza ngokuba yi-Neutral Body Posture, eyimilo umzimba obuyela kuyo xa ukhululekile kwimpembelelo yomxhuzulane. I-Skystation idala ithuba lokunqumama, ukucamngca kunye nokusebenzisana ngaphakathi kwendawo yoluntu. Iphefumlelwe yimbono yanamhlanje yefom ilandela umsebenzi. Kuba nomphumo ozenzekelayo wokwenza ukuba incoko phakathi kwabantu ongabaziyo ibe yinto engenakuphepheka.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award

Skystation Ibhentshi Sculptural ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo ngokungaqhelekanga okunikwa imiyilo yomgangatho ophezulu, entle nechukumisayo. Abaphumeleleyo beSilivere ziimveliso ezikhazimlayo kakhulu nezidala kakhulu ezibonisa ubungcali obuphawulekayo, italente nobukrelekrele babayili bazo. Skystation Ibhentshi Sculptural iyathenjwa ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omhle womzekelo, onobungcali obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezinzulu. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award yimveliso ebonakalayo kakhulu, ethandwayo enceda kwaye inyusa imida yobugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha. Skystation Ibhentshi Sculptural yimveliso enomona omkhulu kuyo evusa iinqwenelo, izisa iimvakalelo ezintle kwaye ivuselela ukumangaliswa nokumangala.

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