Overview
While Barangaroo has become somewhat of a polarising area to opinionated Sydneysiders, the precinct and its Lendlease owners have shown quite a notable commitment to public art. Announced today, the newest piece commissioned will be the precinct's largest permanent public artwork to date, following the announcement of Reko Rennie's work earlier this year.
Created by German artist Sabine Hornig, Shadows will be installed across a 170-metre walkway connecting the precinct's three International Towers.
In the installation, photographs of indigenous Sydney flora will be layered on multi-coloured glass walls in the walkways and passages between the towers. Hornig sourced these images in the area surrounding Sydney Harbour, focusing on the region's native plants. The artwork's transparent glass is meant to reflect "beautiful iridescent shadows" according to Hornig. The glass wall will also mirror the faces and bodies of passersby, allowing pedestrians to become participants in the art.
Hornig was selected by the Lendlease Art Advisory Panel from a consideration of more than 200 artists and then among four local and international artist submissions. Due to be completed in 2018, the work will act as a part of the new Australian and international public artworks commissioned by the Barangaroo Public Art and Cultural Plan. Announced in 2015, the plan establishes a multi-million dollar investment in public art and cultural programming across Barangaroo.