sun / shift // drift

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: 'sun / shift // drift' was commissioned as a permanent public art work for 'Testing Grounds', a new, free, outdoor space for public art funded by the State Government via Arts Victoria. The installation was curated by Joseph Norster and Millie Cattlin. The work consists of 65 silver and gold mirrors mounted to architectural structures surrounding the outdoor arts venue. 'sun / shift // drift' continues and extends collaborative research by Mitchell and Schut that explores 'atmospheric' landscapes. The work also builds on Mitchell's previous work 'New Millennium Fountain' (ACCA, 2013). RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: 'sun / shift // drift' was developed over a year-long period through detailed observation and material experimentation. The work explores how sunlight may be effectively manipulated as a design medium, extending notions of 'landscape' and demonstrating this through design practice. The work presents an elegant response to designing with sunlight in an urban site with extensive overshadowing. The mirror supports developed for the project use digital fabrication techniques to reduce material and labour costs and provide 3 degrees of movement for mirror adjustment. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: Schut and Mitchell were selected as the first artists in residence at Testing Grounds. The venue, which is at Southgate, just behind the Art Centre spire, is emerging as a significant site of experimentation for architecture and design practice in Melbourne. As such, 'sun / shift // drift' has been presented alongside numerous artist in resident projects, arts festivals and university0based design studios. Mirror structures from 'sun / shift // drift' were exhibited at West Space Gallery as part of the West Space 2014 Fundraiser (June, 2014). The Testing Ground residency was covered in leading design website (and paper) Broadsheet. See 'Testing the ground', Chanelle McAuliffe, 4 Nov 2014.