As part of the Iron Works, Mill Road Cambridge project, Tom held an event at the Cambridge Museum of Technology. Working with a local Muslim community group, the session explored type and font in the museum’s Victorian print workshop. Printing onto origami switches made by the participants was a great way to showcase the current concept for the public art project.
There were other events for the collaborative out-reach strategy, including interactive creative workshops involving all the project artists and local historians, held at a local craft brewery’s yard. Local councilors, project stakeholders and local community groups participated in the free drop-in event.
For information about the wider strategy and ambitions of the scheme please visit the main project website: www.resonance-cambridge.co.uk
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PROJECT BACKGROUND
Tom investigated residential, commercial and industrial switches as part of his research into the former and present communities and occupations in Petersfield. Initially inspired by the objects on display at the Cambridge Museum of Technology, from electrical engineering to the switch that turns on our kettle! This ubiquitous, yet often overlooked, everyday item conveys much about the people who used the items and the period in which it was created.
A switch label, as simple as it may sound, enables us to identify the correct switch to flick, switch, or turn. Introducing this element to the artworks enables machines or appliances to be showcased in colourful and graphic style. And at the same time, can identify and showcase a wide variety of components and instruments that have a relationship with the housing development’s locality and residents, past and present.
‘STEAM LEVER’ is part of a series of artworks by Tom positioned strategically throughout the development to enrich the new development and enhance the shared communal public space. The aim of the the public art strategy is to enhance the setting for the new residential development on the former depot site, referencing the distinctive context of Mill Road.
The sculpture celebrates The Eagle Foundry, located on the development’s former site, where in the 1850’s under the partnership of Headly & Manning, a wide variety of steam powered machinery and engines were manufactured including engine boilers, gasometers and pumps for use on the land or for drainage. The artwork has been positioned on an expansion joint of the elevation and plays with a lever’s open or close position.
The complete series can be viewed HERE
