FLOAT ARTWORK AT THE PONDS

Umbrellas this week gained a whole new meaning when Float; the latest public artwork at The Ponds in Sydney’s North West; was unveiled at one of the suburb’s busiest intersections.

Frank Sartor, Minister for Planning and Minister for the Arts officially lit the bold sculpture on the corner of Stanhope Parkway and Conrad Road.

Float features twelve large sculptured umbrellas created by talented artists Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse who wanted to comment on Sydney’s changing climate in an unforgettable way.

Public art is a key part of the development at The Ponds, and compliments Blacktown Council’s public art policy. Float is one of a series of artworks that forms The Ponds Art Strategy developed and coordinated by Guppy & Associates for Landcom and Australand.

“Landcom has a long development history in Blacktown and other Western Sydney areas that spans almost thirty years and made its first commitment to public art in the early 1980’s with “Cows”, located on the corner of Sunnyholt Road and Stanhope Parkway to reflect the dairy history of the area,” said Kerry Robinson, Landcom’s General Manager Development.

“Public art helps create places that people can identify with and has been used by Landcom to provide a visual representation of the past. People can also relate to the various artworks which act as a cultural anchor to a new development.”

“Float is an iconic artwork within The Ponds community and provides a focal point for the community. In the future, residents at The Ponds will also have the opportunity to participate in public art projects to give the community a sense of ownership,” he added.
 
Artist Greg Stonehouse said Float is a major artwork that explores the presence and absence of water in the landscape. The umbrellas hung upside down are brilliantly lit to create a sense of drama and act as water collectors.

“At night the umbrellas glow with soft colours and change with the seasons. When it rains, the umbrellas lights respond with a dance to celebrate the return of water to the landscape to add further affect to the bold sculpture.” 

“Float is a timeless sculpture that has been designed to blend with the suburban landscape and become part of its footprint forever,” added Greg.

The umbrella structures are mounted on metal poles with stainless steel mesh forming the umbrella skin, with the tallest standing 12 metres high. The artwork has inset LED lighting, which is programmed to respond to the seasons and rainfall.

Clouston and Associates designed the landscape, which further develops the changing climate theme.

Other artworks in The Ponds Arts Strategy include Eastern Neighbourhood Park, Waterlines, Harvest, Digital Litter and an Aboriginal Artefacts Display.

The Ponds is a partnership between Landcom and Australand to create a 390 hectare-master-planned community located beside Kellyville Ridge. The ten year project will comprise over 3000 homes when complete and offers a unique water and woodland environment surrounded by an extensive nature corridor.

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