Public Art
Introducing our new public artwork: Phosphorescence
One of the last elements to be completed for Stage Four of the Victor Harbor Mainstreet Precinct Upgrade is the installation of a new public art piece at the intersection of Ocean Street and Albert Place.
About the artwork
The artwork, titled Phosphorescence, has been created by artist Marijana Tadic.
The sculpture is made from coloured plexiglass and stainless steel forms, providing an impressive sculpture to be admired during the day. It also incorporates computerised lighting, offering a magical experience at night when it lights up.
The shapes and colours that appear on the artwork are inspired by sea creatures that glow – think of the luminescent glow of jellyfish!
The artist indicated that the concept for Phosphorescence was strengthened through her experience of the Illuminate Festival, witnessing first hand the feeling of magic, optimism and hope as people interacted with amazing light presentations. This artwork provides Victor Harbor with its own permanent light display to be enjoyed by locals and visitors year round.
The title of the artwork, Phosphorescence, is inspired by a book of the same name, written by ABC journalist Julia Baird. Within the book, Julia writes about the need to find an inner light (phosphorescence) that sustains us when the world is challenging and difficult situations confront us. Within the book there is a call to look to nature to seek the awe and wonder that fuels a light within us.
This art piece that will stand proudly at a prominent location within Victor Harbor’s town centre offers a positive energy that looks outwards and upwards at all times, hoping to inspire those taking in the awe and wonder of this piece to find a little of their own inner light.
The commissioning process
The Mainstreet Precinct Master Plan – Stage Four design allowed for the inclusion of a key public art piece at the intersection of Ocean Street and Albert Place. This also aligned with the Victor Harbor Mainstreet Precinct Public Art Strategy.
The artwork had a budget of $100,000, with 50% funding through the SA Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program as a part of the Victor Harbor Mainstreet Precinct Upgrade.
In accordance with best practice methods, guided by Arts SA advice and taking into account Council’s own Public Art Policy, a commissioning plan was prepared to guide the process of securing the art piece.
There were 12 responses to an expression of interest and four (4) artists were invited to submit concept plans proposals for consideration of an assessment panel made up of Council members, representatives from the City of Victor Harbor’s Arts and Culture Advisory Group and Heritage Advisory Group, the firm responsible for the design of the new streetscape and Council staff.
The assessment panel reviewed the four concept proposals against a set of pre-determined criteria, and then made a recommendation to Council for its consideration.
This process resulted in Council commissioning artist Marijana Tadic to develop and construct the Phosphorescence concept.
Installing Phosphorescene
The artwork will be installed on Wednesday, 23 November 2022.
Traffic management will be in place along Ocean Street (from Coral Street to Albert Place) from 6am to 12pm. This section of road will also be required to be closed for a period to enable a crane to come in and install the artwork. It is anticipated that this closure will take place from 6am to around 10am.