15 June, 2017

Oh brings the wow to Albany Stadium Pool

A splash of playfulness comes to Albany Stadium Pool on Saturday 17 June when two large scale artworks, capturing the fun of a trip to the new pool complex, will be officially unveiled.

Artist Seung Yul Oh is behind the two new pieces of artwork at the pool, Upon a Pond and Drop a Loop. Although physically separate, both are united by a shared concept: the many qualities and states of water and the effect of the body displacing it through play and interaction.

Upon a Pond is a work by Oh in collaboration with designer John O’Sullivan that brings a sense of wonder and playfulness to the outside of the pool facility. Large coloured bubbles rise from one end of shapes resembling three giant bendy straws, and fog is released from the other.

Drop a Loop glows colourfully from a series of 11 light boxes above as you enter the pool building. Sensors trigger the light boxes to adjust illumination as natural light levels change.

Auckland Council has invested $342,500 in this project to bring this distinctive public art to Albany.

Lisa Whyte, Upper Harbour Local Board Chair, was involved in the artist selection and design refinement;

“Albany is home to an incredibly diverse community, including many Korean New Zealanders. Seung Yul Oh was the perfect artist to create something special in the grounds of our long awaited, and much loved, facility in the heart of Albany’s ever-evolving centre.”

Seung Yul’s style will be familiar to many Aucklanders who have experienced his first public art commission, the colourful egg-like objects entitled Knocknock on Newmarket’s Teed Street.

Since graduating from Auckland University’s Elam School of Fine Arts, the Korean-born New Zealand artist has enjoyed a successful career both locally and overseas including a commission at Te Papa Tongarewa and receiving the Harriet Friedlander Residency, New York.

Richard McWha, Auckland Council Arts and Culture Manager, is proud to see Seung Yul’s work bring public art to Albany.

“Public art can connect a community more deeply to a place. The artist has done a fantastic job of capturing the fun of a trip to the pool for families and particularly kids.”

Take the whānau and check out the new artwork anytime from 17 June onwards. For Albany Stadium Pool opening hours see www.aucklandleisure.co.nz or call 09 484 6205.

ENDS

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