A 21-metre-high illuminated stack of multi-coloured boxes towering over a south London university library “will not dazzle passers-by”, the artist behind the sculpture has insisted. But David Batchelor, the Goldsmiths University lecturer who designed the stack of 35 stainless steel boxes, admitted the surrounding area will be “significantly brighter” at night as a result of his artwork.
Batchelor, 69, made the comments in planning documents submitted to Lewisham Council for the installation of the sculpture outside Goldsmiths University’s library in New Cross, South London. He said: “I imagine the work will take place during the day and evenings. The light quality will change as the ambient light conditions change. It will be significantly brighter at night but it will not dazzle passers-by.”
The sculpture, called Chromorama, was originally erected on the Broadgate office complex at Liverpool Street Station in 2015. But the multicolored box tower was dismantled and put into storage after the City of London approved plans to redevelop the site in 2021.
The sculpture was originally to be remounted elsewhere on the Broadgate campus, but the City of London struggled to find a suitable location. Discussions then began with David Batchelor about moving the tower across the river to Goldsmiths University, where he teaches art.
According to the plans submitted to Lewisham Council, the light boxes will sit on top of a 2.5m plinth, which will “prevent any attempt to climb the structure”. A wooden bench will be attached to the sculpture to give passers-by a place to sit and “enjoy lunch or have a casual chat”, planning documents add.
David Batchelor was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1955. He has shown his work worldwide, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh and Tokyo’s National Art Centre.
Goldsmiths alumni include artists Damien Hirst, Anthony Gormley and Sarah Lucas. The university also counts the late fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, director Steve McQueen and Princess Beatrice among its alumni.
Lewisham Council will make a decision on whether the sculpture can be mounted outside the university’s library at an as yet undisclosed later date.
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