reINSTATE by .reSPOKE 2017 LEEDERVILLE HOTEL Powder coated steel, acrylic perspex pipe, brackets, LED lighting.

reINSTATE by .reSPOKE

Leederville Hotel, Leederville, Western Australia
 

  • Client: FJM Properties
  • Role of Artsource: Art Consultant
  • Artist: .reSPOKE (Kirsten Masgai and Chevi Hughes)
  • Outcome: Integrated artwork
  • Artwork budget: $17,000
  • Completion date: August 2017


reINSTATE is a subtle nod to the heritage form of the iconic Leederville Hotel. The desire for this public artwork was to highlight, rather than compete with the ornate and architecturally detailed building façade. With its pared back and elegant design spanning over ten meters in length, the result is a subtle and sophisticated light work that is sensitive to both the building and the location.

Viewed from across the street in its entirety, this two-part install sees thin pipework of frosted perspex tubing encasing warm LED light which shed their soft illumination over the pressed tin awning underside. On the lower exterior of the building to dado line, mild steel pipes pick up the tones of its ceramic tiles. The sleek and strong diagonal lines provide dynamism to a simple design, sensitive to the building itself, allowing the restored heritage building to take centre stage.

While elements such as function, clientele and surface appearance periodically change; the structure has remained a constant. By drawing out geometric forms found upon the building’s exterior, and laying them back upon its surface, the piece looks to highlight and pay tribute to the building behind the façade.

The Leederville area is quite densely packed with visual stimuli, particularly at night with other major public art light works in the proximity of the Leederville Hotel. It was felt important to allow the previously commissioned works some visual space. The work is also quite sensitive to the streetscape as a whole; by giving the other works some space, reINSTATE adds a subtle presence to the precinct, without being overwhelming. 

reINSTATE by .reSPOKE 2017 LEEDERVILLE HOTEL Powder coated steel, acrylic perspex pipe, brackets, LED lighting.

reINSTATE by .reSPOKE, 2017, Leederville Hotel, Powder coated steel, acrylic perspex pipe, brackets, LED lighting. Image courtesy of Leederville Hotel.