Roll - an artwork for Jacaranda Square
‘Roll’ is an interactive artwork designed for the small, grassy hill in Jacaranda Square at Sydney Olympic Park. Fanning out from the top of the hill will be a collection of long, colourful pipes. At the top of the hill will be a bucket of balls. The community can play with the artwork by rolling the balls down the pipes.
The pipes will use standard 20cm PVD downpipes. These will be sourced from industry offcuts and Reverse Garbage. They will be painted in bright, geometric patterns by myself, my assistants and R & D Industrial Spray Finishes.
The balls will be hard plastic, 10cm in diameter. They will be lightweight and easy to clean.
Twenty balls will be put out each day from a supply of 100 balls.
The pipes will be secured into the hill using metal pipe stakes. See this product here.
Engineering certification will come from Ed Thomas at Studio Structure
At points there will be openings cut into the top of the pipes. This will provide the fun opportunity to see the ball running down the pipe, but will also allow for stuck balls or obstructions to be cleared.
Various types of connectors will be used between the pipes, so that some pipes will run in zig-zags down the hill, and some will have forking paths. This will create varied engagement and opportunities for surprise, excitement, friendly competition and play between community members.
Aims
- To draw the community into the park, and provide a reason for them to stay
- To provide opportunities for spontaneous interaction between community members
- To create visual interest within the park
- To support intergenerational, multicultural use of public space
- To create an attraction that will promote Sydney Olympic Park to the broader Sydney community and draw in visitors from other areas
Outcomes
The outcomes for this project can be measured through
- Increased visitation to the park
- Observed interaction between community members (particularly children) who did not cometo the park together
- Sharing of the project through social media platforms outside of SOPA and the artist
Access and inclusion
A path of 1200cm wide will be left between the pipes on one side of the hill. This will allow access to the top of the hill by people with restricted mobility and wheelchair users.
Safety
The existing retaining walls around the hill will prevent balls rolling onto the road.
Signage indicting trip hazards in the area can be placed around the artwork.
Covid safe measures will include hand sanitiser and regular disinfecting of balls.