Robots

…definitely the most innovative and striking public sculpture commission I have seen in Belfast. Dickon Hall Ltd via Facebook.

Percent for Art Commission

As part of the Crescent Arts Centre’s refurbishment and Percent for Art scheme, the Crescent commissioned the artist collective Robots to create a site-specific permanent artwork throughout selected public areas of this listed landmark building.

The commission was awarded in December 2010 with installation in May and June 2011 and the official launch in September 2011.

Robots’ innovative ideas, creative approach and conceptual thinking, accessibility and unique concept won the commission.

The Art

The sculpture is an artistically excellent and exciting high quality addition to the building that adds to and compliments the character of the Crescent.

It has a powerful impact and inspires and encourages imagination, public participation in and appreciation of art.

The sculpture is entirely made from recycled and reclaimed wood that has been salvaged or donated. Materials have been sourced from salvage yards, recycling plants, Belfast docks, second hand furniture stores, private donations, online advertising, auctions. Material was chosen for historical and personal relevance, structural integrity or simply beauty.

The use of environmentally sustainable materials (recycled and reclaimed wood) is important to the Crescent’s ethos, especially as the end product is determined by these resources being available/donated/found and allowed for stakeholder involvment.

Four main techniques have been used to construct the modular sculpture:

• Irregular geodesic multi-faceted clusters that form large geometric crystalline objects
• Bundles
• 3D mazes
• Mosaic

The large scale sculpture aims to reference movement, nature and technology.

Naturally accruing phenomena act as the muse for this piece  ie. The Giants Causeway, Crystal caves, cloud formations and dendritic pathways. Paradoxically these natural physical laws can be found, simulated in computer aided animation using generative code technology and this secondary point of reference has allowed the artists to tackle the problem of creating organic representation from square, man-made objects.

The Artists

Robots>>>> specialise in building large site specific sculptures made from recycled and reclaimed wood. Founded in 2009 in London, their work to date include commissions, exhibitions and projects in London, Belfast and other site across the UK, New York and most recently Quito (Ecuador).

The installation is finished, but we invite you to get creatively involved and contribute to a collaborative artwork celebrating the sculpture – our ROBOT WALL! 

If you’d like to get involved, or for further information please contact Petra Blömker.

Tweet