New artworks for our libraries: creating a new world and mapping a neighbourhood

Libraries are no longer strictly depositories of books – they are places where people come together to work, listen, collaborate or discover. Such diverse spaces need appropriate atmospheres. Two artist collectives have come together to help create these at our Ultimo and Newtown libraries.

Kaleidoscopic flower garden at Ultimo Library

Skunk Control is an interdisciplinary design team of artists, engineers and scientists, who create sensory installations. The group’s Ultimo Library installation Portal is a large petalled flower. The flower’s centre contains a kinetic chamber that appear to open a window into a magical world as you move around the room.

Its petals are full of vivid colour resembling the green, blue and orange hues found on the wings of beetle species and in opals.

Ultimo Library, Sydney - 3rd October 2017. New Artwork installed at Ultimo Library. — Ultimo Library, Sydney – 3rd October 2017. New Artwork installed at Ultimo Library.

“Light is affected by the type of material it passes through. For the flowers, we have used complex materials to affect light and colour and create a magical world,” say Skunk Control.

Skunk Control has previously created immersive installations that reference the natural world for LUMINA Light Festival in Portugal, LUX Festival in New Zealand, Lorne Biennale, Melbourne Museum and others.

Mapping spaces and personalities at Newtown Library

The new installation Mapping Community at Newtown Library from Erin Turner and Peita Blythe will feature a crisp line illustration of the area, marked with local stories. Residents will be able to identify important Newtown locations and connect them with narratives of the celebrated suburb, including its strong LGBTIQ history.

The piece will be installed as a panorama across the glass panels on the mezzanine of Newtown library. Sections of the design will be developed as posters so Newtown residents can contribute their stories.