RADIO WAVE BENCH SCULPTURE

Radiowave Bench Sculpture, 2018, Anton Blume, Sabrina Dowling Giudici. Carnarvon, Western Australia.

Artists: Anton Blume, Sabrina Dowling Giudici.
Designer: Anton Blume
Art Producer: Sabrina Dowling Giudici

The unique Radio Wave Bench art sculpture explores the connection between two seemingly unrelated subjects: space science and telecommunications, it pays tribute to Carnarvon's space history. By delving into the underlying principles that govern both subjects, the artists arrived at a fascinating concept—radio waves. These invisible signals play a crucial role in tracking space crafts and celestial objects, such as Halley's Comet, as well as enabling telecommunications.

The sculpture takes the form of a bench, with each concrete panel featuring a wave signal pattern. These patterns not only shape each panel but also come together to form the overall composition.

Standing at 3.5 meters in length and measuring 55 cm in height and depth, this artwork provides a contrasting scale to the larger pieces on the art trail. Its intriguing design encourages viewers to contemplate its meaning while offering a comfortable place to sit. Additionally, cyclists can conveniently secure their bikes by slipping the front wheel through the slats.

The sculpture's finish complements the limestone used throughout the main street, with a lime/sandstone colour and texture. It boasts exceptional durability, designed to withstand potential damage from various sources, including impacts. To ensure its robustness, we specified a concrete strength of 50MPa, exceeding the standards for even wharfs and shipping docks, known for their high-impact environments.

The galvanised pole, serving as the artwork's central spine, remains hidden within the sculpture, with no exposed metal. The concrete finish on all sides, except one fine trowel-finished side, is designed to provide a textured, non-slip surface even when wet.