MAJOR ARTWORK UNVEILED AT FUTURA PARK
25 September 2013
A new public art installation has been unveiled at Futura Park in Ipswich. The artwork was created by Andrei Costache, a Fine Art student at University Campus Suffolk (UCS), following a competition among students from the UCS School of Arts and Humanities to win the commission from AquiGen, the developers of Futura Park.
A ceremony took place on Wednesday 25 September where the installation was officially unveiled by The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Hamil Clarke.
Entitled ‘Never Ending Line’, the abstract architectural installation comprises a series of colourful metal forms positioned along either side of Crane Boulevard, one of the new access roads at Futura Park. Andrei took his initial inspiration for the lines that form the installation from the pipes that manufacturers used in the past, in recognition of the former industrial use of this site that used to house the Crane foundry.
The brief for the commission was to create a striking and visible focal point for visitors to Futura Park, forming an attractive new local landmark that would stand the test of time over coming decades. The design is laid out in an artistic formation creating spaces that people can walk into and interact with. It also incorporates seating areas and is set amongst new landscaping and trees to help it blend with its environment. The installation was manufactured by local business Claydon Architectural Metalwork.
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2/… Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Paul Isaacs, Managing Director of AquiGen said: “We chose Andrei’s design because it is colourful and brings a real vitality to the scene. We hope visitors to Futura Park will think it adds a sense of fun and remember it as a new landmark for the area. We also hope this prominent commission will be a boost to the career of a young artist based in the Ipswich area.”
Andrei Costache said: “I am grateful that AquiGen and University Campus Suffolk supported my idea. My design for ‘Never Ending Line’ is vividly simple; through colour and form I wanted to express the connection between place and people. My sculpture brings the scene alive and I hope visitors will enjoy it.”
Andrei Costache is a Romanian born, Ipswich based artist currently in his final year of a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art at UCS. His work spans all mediums including architectural installation, sculpture and painting.
Futura Park, between Ransomes Way and Nacton Road, occupies the site of the former Crane foundry to the South East of the city centre and will provide 44 acres of new business and retail space. It is already a vibrant retail destination with a flagship John Lewis at home and Waitrose, and a second retail phase including DFS, Paul Simon, Furniture Village and Oak Furniture Land that launched to the public ahead of schedule last month.
