Hand crocheted with rope, three by five-metre sea urchins are set to impress visitors at ‘Festival 2018’, from 4 to 15 April, as part of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games program. This large-scale public work, designed by internationally recognised experimental designers/artists Jin Choi and Thomas Shine, from Choi+Shine Architects, is inspired by Australia’s marine life and patterns found in nature.
Urchins created by Choi + Shine Architects; curated by SWELL and presented by Festival 2018. Photograph: Goldoc
As a seemingly delicate lace-like installation that interacts with wind and light, the process itself is as strong as the marine-grade rope used to construct the shell forms. Remarkably, 60 volunteer crocheters from different parts of Australia translated instructions and patterns to bring Choi and Shine’s idea into physical form, communicating through Facebook over a 12 month period.
Co-curator Ruth Della highlights the logistics of engaging multiple people in an initiative of this scale. She says, ‘It’s admirable that each volunteer embraced the rope as a new medium, and though it has been challenging particularly on their hands they have all persevered and worked together to each create stunning individual elements.’
Urchins in the process of being created. Designed by Choi + Shine Architects, curated by SWELL and presented by Festival 2018. Photograph: Goldoc
Assembled onto a framework and set 1.5 metres high to allow for a more intimate experience with the work, these decorative and intriguing objects are expected to delight the eyes of photographers and appreciation in any visitor of the natural wonders of the region’s seascape.
