EOI - Public Art Opportunity - The Hub, Fluted Wall

 

Council is seeking expressions of interest from qualified artists to design and oversee installation of artworks on the exterior of the Hub building at the west end of Beaman Park in Yeppoon. Two options are available, being the western wall (facing west) and the scalloped

wall (facing NE).

 

The Council is looking for creative ‘high visual impact’ art installations that will enhance the region’s identity and sense of place, as well as capture the community’s resilience in the wake of natural disasters. While creativity and quality are the most important attributes sought, the

Council would like to see consideration of concepts that acknowledge or are at least sensitive to the positive aspects of the role of the building as a centre for disaster management excellence.

 

 

This 2019 QLD Bushfires Recovery project is being jointly funded through Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The purpose of this fund is to accelerate recovery and build resilience in those communities that were impacted by the bushfires that occurred in November 2019.

 

 

The artwork needs to be informed by the funding purpose, but should not be driven by it to the degree that the artwork is wholly disaster recovery targeted. The artwork should be positive, evocative and timeless. Quirky and humorous are also worthy influences. It should reflect the creative and forward thinking outlook of the community, while also capturing the essence of working together to prevent and mitigate disasters as well as response, recovery and resilience that follows a disaster, akin to the legendary phoenix of ancient Greek and Egyptian

mythology. Indigenous equivalents are obviously more pertinent in this instance.

 

• To achieve the purpose of the QLD bushfire Recovery funding in building community resilience in the wake of natural disasters.

• To enhance the identity of the HUB building as a central community supportive asset.

• To boldly enforce the stoicism and resilience of the community in the way that they address difficult circumstances at large scale.

• To enhance and showcase community pride and strength of character.

• To enhance the region’s identity and sense of place through the installation of creative, distinctive ‘high visual impact’ art elements.

 

NOTE: While the funding for this project is provided through bushfire grants, it needs to be remembered that the purpose and function of the Disaster Centre is to prepare for and respond to ALL types of disasters.

 

SCOPEThere are two possible options for art treatment. Either or both may be utilised depending on cost and the quality of proposals.

 

1. The first area available for artistic treatment consists of the top two floors of the external west wall of the building. The finished wall treatment is painted render over block wall. 21 April 2022 Approximate dimensions are 24.5m x 7.5m. This wall is very prominent to east bound traffic and pedestrians on James Street.

 

2. The second area comprises the vertically scalloped walls facing NE towards the Fig Tree Galleries. This site is prominent on Normanby Street, though also visible on James.

 

In both instances, prospective artists should consider the use of 3 dimensional elements to add appropriate gravitas to the installations. The scalloped walls in particular, need to be respected/leveraged in how the art responds to this feature wall. A subtler, creative touch will

likely achieve more effective results than efforts to tackle the full wall surface.

“Representative” images of different types of responses in this regard are included in Attachment 1.

 

Desirable:

 

Prospective artists should personally evaluate the site to appreciate the project scale and viewing angles. Prospective artists should be conscious of bushfire-impacted residents in the development of suitable art concepts since this is a community focused project. Artists may

also wish to consult with local school art programs. 

 

For further information contact placemaking@livingstone.qld.gov.au.