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The ongoing La Vallette regeneration project now includes plans for an interactive and mesmeric piece of art designed by sculptor Ivan Black.
The ‘Life Ring’ is a wind-powered kinetic sculpture and Vive La Vallette – the charity developing new community facilities at the historic bathing pools – has just put in planning permission for it.
The six metre high sculpture includes a three metre ring comprising several sections. It has been designed to rotate in the wind, mimicking the movement of swimmers in the sea.
“We really wanted this sculpture to put forward a good strong message about creativity,” said Helen Bonner-Morgan, Community Lead for Vive La Vallette.
“We knew what the artist could do and we just asked him to create something site specific. The movements of the sculpture mirror the movements of somebody swimming in the water.”
Pictured: The artist wants the sculpture to "evoke the importance of communal swimming".
The sculpture has been designed with education in mind. It is hoped that young people and eager minds will undertake educational projects based around STEAM topics (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths).
“We know public art adds life and engagement to a place – this can really stimulate conversation,” said Ms Bonner-Morgan.
The colours red and white were chosen to represent marine signals for safe water and the materials have been chosen to mirror coastal infrastructure.
Pictured: A fixed disc halfway down the pole will allow the public to interact with the sculpture.
The Vive La Vallette charity was created in 2019 with the intention of redeveloping the facilities at the bathing pools.
Its ambitious project is on track to open this spring.
Picture credit: DLM Architects.
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