Cloud Arch sculpture design for the Sydney CBD will go ahead, after some ‘refinement’
THE massive Cloud Arch sculpture for the Sydney CBD is finally moving forward, but the final design may look quite different from the original plans.
NSW
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THE massive Cloud Arch sculpture Lord Mayor Clover Moore wants built in the Sydney CBD is finally moving forward, almost two years after it was announced and with more than $300,000 already spent on the project.
But the final design may look quite different, with City of Sydney confirming “alternative options” for the massive $3.5 million sculpture are being canvassed. Ms Moore said the design, originally meant to be up to 75m tall, was being “refined”.
There have long been rumours emerging from Town Hall that Cloud Arch’s size might present engineering challenges, especially with it being built on top of the cavernous Town Hall station.
The sculpture is to be located outside Town Hall with the George St light rail running beneath its steel-plated arches.
“It is common practice for artists to explore alternative options during the design process,” a city spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.
“Their creative processes have to take into account advanced engineering that may be required to deliver their artwork. In the case of Cloud Arch, detailed underground engineering investigations are required due to nearby rail infrastructure.”
Liberal Councillor Christine Forster said: “This is going to turn out to be a white elephant, if it ever gets built at all.”
Ms Moore announced Cloud Arch, by Tokyo artist Junya Ishigami, in 2014 as the centrepiece of three major public artworks costing more than $9 million. A development application for Cloud Arch’s “footings” has been lodged, five months later than the City hoped.
Just over $300,000 has been spent on the project, including payments to Mr Ishigami, who has had one brief visit to Sydney in the past 12 months, and funding for engineering reports and DA preparation.
A development application has also been lodged for Tracy Emin’s $2.1 million Distance of Your Heart sculpture, a series of bronze birds on poles in the CBD’s north. A total of $50,000 has been spent on that project.
There is no development application yet for Hany Armanious’s controversial $2.5 million Milk Crate sculpture in Belmore Park.
City of Sydney said the timing of the Milk Crate, formally known as Pavilion, hinges on the George St light rail construction.
A total of $111,020 has been spent on Pavilion so far.