Callum Morton et al win Canberra public sculpture ideas competition

The Board of Immigration Place Australia in Canberra has announced the winner of its design ideas competition for a site-specific public sculpture installation that reflects on Australia’s immigration history.

From seventeen submissions, a concept by Melbourne-based artist Callum Morton and his team emerged victorious. Immigration Place Australia made the announcement on Harmony Day, 21 March 2015.

The concept of the winning design is anchored by ancient Aboriginal mythology. According to the site’s traditional owners, the Ngambri, the womb of a spirit woman rests on the site. The site is also in close proximity to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The idea of the “womb” inspired the sine-wave shape of the structure. The sine wave is also symbolic of the rolling turbulence of the ocean and a type of cloud reflecting migration via sea and air. Constructed from layers of steel, laid one on top of another at various spacings, the layers symbolise the myriad stories of migration – from the earliest First Australians who, some believe, crossed a land bridge over 40,000 years ago, to the first European settlers to the continuing stories of contemporary global migration. The layers (or stacks) also connect to the notion of archive and reinforce ideas of density.

The sculpture is made from stacks of steel at various spacings.

The sculpture is made from stacks of steel at various spacings.

Image: Immigration Place Australia

“The form and materiality inherently suggest movement and are evocative of an ancient Australian place and time,” said the jury. “There is an exceptionally lyrical and powerful quality to this proposal that fascinates, provokes interest and demands exploration.”

The sculpture can be approached from various points. Inside, multiple pathways through the sculpture will create an immersive feel with shifting beams of light penetrating between the layers of steel. There will also be audio speakers within the sculpture broadcasting collected spoken histories of migration.

Morton and his team will now work with Immigration Place Australia to develop the concept to meet the requirements of the National Capital Authority. A budget of $5 million has been set aside to realise the design; however, no timeframe for construction has been announced.

The winning team also includes Charlotte Day (curator); Bob Earl (urban designer and landscape architect, Oculus); Nigel Bertram (architect, NMBW); Nikos Papstergiadis (writer/thinker on immigration); Paul House (Ngambri custodian); Andre Bonnice (Monash Art Projects); Peter Felicetti, (structural and civil engineer); and Daniella Trimboli.

Four other proposals were shortlisted:

Ancient Land – New Land – Home LandKate Cullity (team leader, landscape architect Taylor Cullity Lethlean); Hossein and Angela Valamanesh (artists); Peter Tonkin (Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects); and Geoff Wallbridge (civil engineer, Wallbridge and Gilbert).

Leaving – Crossing – Arriving – BecomingBrigita Ozolins (team leader, artist); Jerry de Gryse (landscape architect, Inspiring Place); Elvio Brianese and Peta Heffernan (architects, Liminal Studio); and Tracey Allen (designer).

Spirit of Place: One + ManyJane Irwin (team leader, landscape architect, JILA); Lindy Lee (artist); Peter McGregor (architect, McGregor Westlake Architecture); Andrew Simpson (structural and civil engineer, SDA Structures); Daniel Tobin (Urban Art Projects); and Emrah Bakiulas (mechanical and electrical engineering, Steensen Varming).

hortus amoenus (Garden of the Senses)Isabelle Toland (team leader) and Amelia Holliday (Aileen Sage Architects); Emily Simpson Landscape Architecture; Jamie North (artist); Morgan Sheehy and Jeremy Sparks (structural engineers, Event Engineering); Sensory experts Elliott Wheeler and Bree van Reyk (aural), Myffy Rigby (culinary), Ewan McEoin (The Field Institute / The Field Guide – olfactory, regional and seasonal produce); Dr Lisa Ford and Dr Ruth Balint (UNSW History, School of Humanities and Languages).

Each shortlisted team received an $8,000 honorarium and the winning team received an additional $5,000.

On the jury were: Kerry Clare (chair, Clare Design), Howard Tanner (Tanner Kibble Denton Architects), Alec Tzannes (Tzannes Associates), Graeme Dix (Johnson Pilton Walker), Adrian McGregor (McGregor Coxall), Oliver Kratzer (Ideal Industrial), Imants Tillers (board member, Immigration Place Australia), Graham French (vice chairman of the board, Immigration Place Australia) and Malcolm Snow (chief executive, National Capital Authority).

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