The chosen maquette

 

Client                Deacon School Art Department

Brief                  Details received-
                        3 schools merging
                        Pupil numbers 2200
                        Large-scale sculpture with possible recycled element
                        2/3 M in height
                        Foster Partnership design 
                        Europe’s largest and most expensive Academy

Time                 Approached in November 2006
                        To be installed by 10 09 07
                        Informed by Fosters on 24 08 07 the site is not ready

Rationale          The relationship with the art department has always been very laid back,  
                       Paula visited them in November to show her portfolio but they had already 
                       decided they wanted her to make the sculpture.

The initial conversations discussed ideas on the Academy’s specialist subjects, Maths and Science with a strong Art Department, and the possibility of working with recycled materials and possible interaction with the environment.

Paula spoke with the Fosters contact on site about using materials from the build in the sculpture and he invited her to see some steel he had. A mock up of the roof had been made and there was all of the metal from that – with some lengths over 8M. The Deacons School Art Department were also very keen on using scrap materials, which has always been at the heart of my work. Other scrap being used includes pieces from an outdoor wind clock for Johnny Depp.

Paula worked on 2 maquettes, one with the legs of the mock up and the other with the ‘pod’ sections from the roof. The unanimous decision from the school was the second one. This was based on the equilateral triangle as used in the roof of the building, which I related to the prism. Putting it onto the 3 legs lifted the piece high out of harms way and made it a height of 4.5M. Fosters put it through on their drawings to Peterborough City Council to be signed off with their landscaping proposals.

The sculpture is almost complete, but the final installation date is yet to be confirmed.

For more information on this project visit: