Sunshine Coast Council
An exciting new public artwork is set to be installed in Bulcock Street, Caloundra in early March but not before the collective behind the innovative work share the art and science behind their creation.
The artists, known as Skunk Control, are a group of science, engineering and creative staff based at Victoria University, that have banded together to show the world how science and art can merge to make award-winning creations.
Skunk Control create exquisitely detailed, highly original and immersive installations that leave audiences with a sense of wonderment.
Division 2 Councillor Tim Dwyer said the new artwork would be a standout feature of the new look Bulcock Street.
“Skunk Control are known around the world for their award-winning installations so it’s exciting that Caloundra will be home to their latest work,” Cr Dwyer said.
“It’s great that the team from Skunk Control are here on the Coast to share their talents with the community and give our local kids and adults alike the chance to get involved.”
Skunk Control founder Nick Athanasiou said that while many think science and art are polar opposites, both ask the big questions.
“A scientist’s lab is not very different than an artist’s studio for searching, thinking, creating and doing,” he said.
Skunk Control today (February 28) presented a one-hour demonstration, Curiouser and curiouser!, to year 5 and 6 students from Talara Primary College where they unveiled and demonstrated the science behind the artwork creation.
The students and teachers alike were dazzled as light moved and changed through structures and across surfaces of the unexpected.
The Caloundra work, titled Four Impossible Things Before Breakfast, is scheduled to be installed on March 7 or 8 (weather permitting). The community can then join a series of free workshops, inspired by the new installation, with Skunk Control.
Book now via council’s events website to secure your place and experience what happens when art and science combine:
Begin at the Beginning
When: Saturday, March 9, 10-10.30am
Location: Caloundra Transit Centre
Book: https://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Event?eventID=20504
A colour mixer module. Participants will make a chamber that creates a series of colour beams and houses a mirror system (participants will build this as well) that can manipulate the beams to demonstrate colour mixing and the process of colour addition. All components will be supplied including light lamp and batteries. Glue guns will be used during this activity.
Which way I ought to go
When: Saturday, March 9, 11.15am – 12.30pm
Location: Caloundra Transit Centre
Book: https://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Event?eventID=20507
Birefringent Colours. To replicate the vivid colours seen at night looking up into the installation’s flower heads, participants will create a small kaleidoscope like chamber that when positioned against a light source (sun rays or artificial light) and rotated will similarly recreate a similar vivid palette of colours. Participants will fill the chamber with specialised plastics and materials to alter the colour palette. Glue guns will be used during this activity.
I knew who I was this morning
When: Saturday, March 9, 2-3.30pm
Location: Bulcock Beach
Book: https://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Event?eventID=20508
Interference colours in large bubbles. Participants will make their own version of specialised bubble fluid that will then be used to create large bubbles. These bubbles demonstrate interference patterns of light. The types of colours that are produced are like those that will be seen when looking directly into the flower heads at night.
A world of my own
When: Sunday, March 10, 9.30-10.45am and 10.45am-12pm (2 sessions)
Location: Caloundra Street Fair
Dichroic Flower. In this hands-on kinetic activity, participants will build a smaller version (17cm in diameter) of the public art installation. The petals can be manipulated to demonstrate how the path of light is affected by its passage through the dichroic film. The resulting colours are vivid and in constant change. Glue guns will be used during this activity. Maximum of 20 people per session.
Skunk Control has gained international attention since they formed in 2012. They have been a popular choice for some of the world’s most innovative festivals and have exhibited their work in New Zealand, Portugal and Australia at White Night Melbourne, Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Laneway Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Gertrude Street Projection Festival and Light in Winter Festival.
To see some of Skunk Control’s work visit www.skunkcontrol.org/portfolio
