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Reflectors

Artist Name(s) David Beattie
Artwork title Reflectors
Context/Background Reflectors is a permanent public artwork created by artist David Beattie. The work consists of four individually engineered and cast terrazzo sculptures of varying sizes and is situated on a newly completed walkway adjacent to the river Dargle in Bray, County Wicklow.
Description

A series of four individually engineered and cast terrazzo sculptures situated on a newly completed walkway adjacent to the River Dargle in Bray, County Wicklow. The sculptures or reflectors are sonic works that focus on the amplification of the existing ambient soundscapes of the river along the public walkway.

Each piece harnesses existing ambient noise to amplify it in a way that is particular to the shape and dynamics of the cast form. Three of the sculptures have been designed to also provide a lens through the object from which a viewer can observe a specific aspect of the location. The act of engaging with the work from a listening perspective also brings the viewer/listener into contact with the physicality of these incredibly strong forms and objects. The largest of the four pieces is an eight-tonne sculpture employing a central parabolic curve that invites people to engage with their own voice and the surrounding sounds beyond. Examining the physics of sound, the sculptures draw our attention to environmental sound and the psychoacoustics of the built environment.

Mediation

https://www.david-beattie.net/bray

Biographies

David Beattie is an artist and lecturer based in Dublin, Ireland. Assembled from a variety of everyday materials his work attempts to provide a framework for assessing our daily surroundings and is manifested through sculpture, installation, sound and photography. Recent projects have focused on the social and environmental impact of digital technologies and machine learning.

He was awarded the Harpo Foundation Award in 2010 and was a recipient of the Hennessy Art Fund for IMMA collection, 2016.

Recent exhibitions include The Glucksman (2019) Berlin Opticians (2018+19) CCA Derry-Londonderry (2017) and Irish Museum of Modern Art (2017).

Commission Type Local Authority
Commissioning process Open
Project commission dates May 31, 2018 - August 17, 2019
Public Presentation dates August 31, 2019 - January 1, 1970
Artform Visual Arts,Other
Funded By The OPW
Percent for art Yes
Budget Range 35000 - 70000 euro
Project commission start date 31/05/2018
Project commission end date 17/08/2019
Location Ravenswell Road
County Wicklow
Town Bray
Street Address
Website david-beattie.net/bray
Content contributor(s) Jenny Sherwin
Public engagement

Sound workshops in local secondary school.

Associated professionals / Specialists involved
  • Colm Ryan Terrazzo – Terrazzo casting
  • Jennie Guy and Eilis Lavelle - curators
  • Sven Anderson - commissioned text
  • Distinctive Reptition - Graphic design
  • Louis Haugh - Photography
  • Ray Mc Grath - Transport
  • Martin Gargan - stone mason