East Sydney Community and Arts Centre is perched on the corner of Burton and Palmer Streets and beside Albert Sloss Reserve, a small playground in Darlinghurst. Built in the 60s, the centre has a longstanding history of cultural and community use, hosting dance groups, yoga and fitness classes, workshops and other creative pursuits. The building has recently undergone renovations. Its refurbishment will make it possible to run more activities for more people; there will be multipurpose spaces rehearsals, creative use and community hire.

As part of this, a translucent new public artwork will brighten the hall’s Burton Street façade. S(w)ing by Turpin + Crawford Studio is literally an artwork at play.

Three giant colourful discs will move languidly action behind a five metre glass wall which opens up the rehearsal space to the street. The discs will glide as their ‘strings’ are pulled below, like the ringing of church bells. As the acrylic discs swing in staggered, intersecting arcs, like out of time pendulums, they will throw neon light onto the street.

Turpin + Crawford Studio are specialists in site-specific public art. Their kinetic works create an interface of art, science, nature and the built environment. This duo is behind the conspicuous Halo in Central Park and Tied to Tide (the red planks and renegade ladders at Pyrmont Point Park), which is part of our City Art collection, to name just a few.

 

The artwork deliberately complements the building’s modern, sustainable design by lahznimmo architects. See the work at play at 34 Burton St, Darlinghurst.