The Case for Architect/Artist Collaboration

Two distinct disciplines – both arguably accessible (and inaccessible). Equally powerful in their innate capacity to move people, to elicit emotion, to engage (or enrage).

This recent collaboration between Melbourne-based design practice Decibel Architecture (dB(A)) and leading Australian Artist?Kim Westcott?was a labour of love. And not without its challenges.

The idea formed early in those solitary pandemic days when dB(A) Conductor Dylan Brady approached long-time collaborator Kim Westcott with a bold idea. To transform the entire street frontage of a unique dB(A) multi-res project on Punt Road (CV Windsor), from fa?ade to artwork.?

Now, Kim is used to producing large works – exceptionally talented and renowned as a printmaker, painter, and sculptor, she gets scale. But this was on a whole other level of BIG.

The artwork itself was a living, evolving entity which took on many iterations during the development phase. Kim was relentless in her pursuit of artistic excellence and so very open to learning the architectural anatomy of the project. The learning was (happily) reciprocal – dB(A) gaining just as much from this in-depth and rewarding collaboration.?

The complexity and commitment needed to bring this collaboration to life can’t be understated. Holding it all together was our shared vision and the very meticulous practice of design refinement – familiar territory for both Artist and Architect.

Projects such as this foster growth but also throw in the occasional (yet inevitable) setback. For dB(A) the learning came by way of patient observation – in gaining a deeper understanding around the artistic practice and needs of another creative. Sometimes our individual pace wasn’t in sync. Like two unique dialects of the same language. Navigating this required everyone to dig deep – some tricky conversations were had along the way, but the quiet and persistent progress continued.

Understanding how to best protect the artwork component of this project from logistical white-anting was another takeaway – ensuring that the framework around the fiscal and creative outcomes was isolated from the base building design went some way to mitigating this risk. Persuading other stakeholders of the value behind your vision is another responsibility that sits with the creative team, as indifference to these initiatives is often the baseline from which we begin.?This persuasive drive is no ‘one-off’ event, but an ongoing conversation that brings everyone along for the ride.

For Kim, the learning was deep and profound. As an artist who has worked predominantly solo for her entire career, collaborating on such an intimate level was new. And new things are hard. In Kim’s practice she has always maintained total control over the realisation of her work. This collaboration meant the surrender of some of this control to others. It demanded (and received) generosity and trust and courage.

Scale was another consideration – what worked in a gallery setting wouldn’t necessarily translate to the large streetscape format of the fa?ade. This led to countless hours rigorously testing materiality, contrast, line weight, colour, density, and form. The physical phase of building and getting the artwork onto the fa?ade presented additional complexities – something that can easily be adjusted on a smaller printed work, is not such a simple fix when scaffolds, logistics, weather, and teams of people are involved. Originally intended as a carved treatment to the fa?ade, the final artwork was actually painted onto the building using a series of maquette transformations?by the talented team at?Apparition Media?and closely overseen by Kim and the dB(A) team.?

The evolution from concept through to finished building and artwork was a massive collective effort. Good, hard, rewarding and challenging in all the right ways. These artistic collaborations are also vitally important. Not only to Artist and Architect, but to all those who can now enjoy the work.?

“As one traverses our iconic Punt Road, the destination is often the focus. But have you ever walked past a lemon scented gumtree in the rain when the warmth of a summer storm has infused the air with a gift of eucalyptus? Well, that destination is important as well. With this new public artwork, I was offered the opportunity to create one of these moments, available to anyone ready to pause and take a breath in.” - Artist statement from Kim Westcott

Public art is just that – it belongs to all. Not everyone has the means or opportunity to access art, especially when it’s nestled behind gallery walls or locked in private dwellings.?Think of all the kids?you?went to school with who?(through no fault of their own) had maybe?never set foot inside a gallery.?However, public art is accessible to anyone passing by. Moments of connection come to those open to receiving them. Bringing the work of a fine artist to the streets of Melbourne breaks down some of these barriers. It’s good stuff.

In case you were wondering, as a counterbalance we did some digging into what the disadvantages of public artwork collaborations might be, and all we could find were statements related to costs and measured only in dollar value. When the benefits of putting this type of collaborative artwork into the public realm are arguably immeasurable, it really is a no-brainer.??

This is not a new concept. It’s not even the first Artist/Architect collaboration by dB(A) – see?one of?our?first?collaborations?(as Studio505) with Artist?Geoff Nees?on the 2005 Australian World Expo in Aichi, Japan. There have been others along the way, and there will be more to come.

This is however a call to action – we need more of this in our world. More art. More collaboration with artists. More public art. And (definitely) more disruption in this space. It’s not about maintaining the status quo – we need to get about creating the kind of world we want to live in. Where art is everywhere and can be experienced by all.

Words by Stephanie Brady

Kim Westcott’s new solo show “Chicane”, featuring her CV Windsor fa?ade artwork will be opened by dB(A) Conductor, Dylan Brady @2pm on Saturday 10th?December at?Magma Galleries?and is showing until 30th?December.?