27 October 2010

ActewAGL celebrates 10 years with new building and new sculpture

| johnboy
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[First filed: Oct 26, 2010 @ 8:36]

John Mackay and new artwork [ActewAGL Chairman John Mackay and artist Robert Foster]

ActewAGL is celebrating the 10th birthday of the organisation.

They’ve also unveiled an eye catching new sculpture in their new Bunda St headquarters.

ActewAGL celebrates its 10th anniversary by officially opening its new headquarters on 40 Bunda Street and unveiling a brand new artwork titled The Journey.

The commission, designed and fabricated by globally renowned, Canberra-based artist Robert Foster of Fink and Co. in collaboration with Frost* Design and Coolon Lighting Pty Ltd, occupies the ground floor of ActewAGL House.

The work consists of 37 major sculptural forms, emerging from the polished concrete floor to become sinuous light-filled shapes named “Ossolites”. The Ossolites are so-named because of their relationship with the concept of “oscillating”, or swinging between points with rhythmic movement. The name also references the Latin word for bone (“osso”) and the word “light.

The Ossolites are programmed to create dramatic sequences of light, colour and movement throughout the installation.The forms contain thousands of environmentally sustainable LED lights supported by specially designed power sources. Movement sensors allow the work to interact with people passing through the space.

The piece is getting rave reviews from everyone who’s seen it so worth checking out if you’re in Civic.

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Would have preferred a discount on my bill.

beg to differ – his aluminium work is often sculpture. haven’t seen this work yet, but am keen to do so…

astrojax said :

great to see robert foster being duly recognised for his long-standing devotion to excellence in design – always considered it a pity he was pipped by an almost identical design for the 2000 sydney olympic torch… one canberra artist worth his salt…

He is a good silversmith, but he is not a sculptor – and it shows.

GottaLoveCanberra5:16 pm 26 Oct 10

Chaz said :

glad to know this is why we keep paying premiums on our electricity bills, to fancy up their foyers

Feel free to pick another electricity retailer if you don’t like ActewAGL.

shadow boxer said :

Anyone else get the feeling John Mackay was carried in by six semi-naked slaves in a gold carriage while throwing wads of cash down to the people…

I’ve seen no cash but I did see an ACTEW worker with the arse torn out of his pants. Was he one of the semi naked slaves ?

glad to know this is why we keep paying premiums on our electricity bills, to fancy up their foyers

Holden Caulfield1:47 pm 26 Oct 10

astrojax said :

great to see robert foster being duly recognised for his long-standing devotion to excellence in design – always considered it a pity he was pipped by an almost identical design for the 2000 sydney olympic torch… one canberra artist worth his salt…

Which makes it all the more remarkable that Frost were involved as well. It would be interesting to know more details about the collaboration.

astrojax said :

great to see robert foster being duly recognised for his long-standing devotion to excellence in design – always considered it a pity he was pipped by an almost identical design for the 2000 sydney olympic torch… one canberra artist worth his salt…

Yes, but from some of the stuff I have seen come out of his workshop, it is a pity he isn’t a little more focussed on quality control.

shadow boxer said :

Anyone else get the feeling John Mackay was carried in by six semi-naked slaves in a gold carriage while throwing wads of cash down to the people…

Yes John
Thank you John,
Can’t wait for my fees to go up a bit more….
thank you John

This art thing is catching.

great to see robert foster being duly recognised for his long-standing devotion to excellence in design – always considered it a pity he was pipped by an almost identical design for the 2000 sydney olympic torch… one canberra artist worth his salt…

shadow boxer said :

Anyone else get the feeling John Mackay was carried in by six semi-naked slaves in a gold carriage while throwing wads of cash down to the people…

I hear he has his own personal photographer that follows him around to all his social engagements.

shadow boxer8:43 am 26 Oct 10

Anyone else get the feeling John Mackay was carried in by six semi-naked slaves in a gold carriage while throwing wads of cash down to the people…

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