Design and Construction
Architects
Loraine Leeson approached Anne Thorne Architects Partnership (ATAP) in 1998 to ask if we would be interested in collaborating with her on a project for the Fanshawe roundabout in Barking. She showed us her image of the proposals for The Catch.
ATAP made a model to try to work out what the image wouild look like in three dimensions (fig 1) because the juxtaposition of the two masts the sculpture looks quite different from different views. (fig 2)
We then looked at ways to make the fish, which seemed an essential part of Loraine's image (fig 4).
Because it is in the centre of a roundabout we thought it would be fun if the fish could move and change by being blown by the wind or at least have a very 'liquid' feel to them.
We thought of making the fish from metal and pinning segments together and made amodel to see if that would work (fig 5) but the segments were difficult to control and we thought the fish might twist too far and break.
After looking at a model fish from Thailand (fig 6) we came up with the idea of making the fish from segments of epoxy resin which would be bonded to a neoprene core which could also act as the fins as it was inherently floppy.
Because there is only a very small gap between the segments the fish cannot bend too far and over-stretch the neoprene.
The next problem was how to make the net. We looked at Celtic knot patterns and at traditional knotwork which sailors once used.
By combining the two we were able to draw something that was feasible for the metalworkers to make from aluminium tubing. (fig 7)
At this point we talked to the structural engineers Dewhurst Macfarlane to establish the best way to make the sculpture stand up.
The mast to the net was to be as lightweight as possible but still holding the delicate knot web in which the fish are caught.
The engineers suggested that the masts should have stainless steel guys (fig 3) which hold them in place.
The engineers asked for the net to be as lightweight as possible so aluminium seemed the ideal choice to reflect light as per the original image and to be lightweight.
We wanted the joint between the net and the mast to look like a float on a fishing net and also act as a flexible fixing (fig 8) from the net to the mast.
We knew that the net would be a difficult geometric shape and fixing it to the mast would not be easy. (fig 9)
Go back to Design and Construction menu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The theme and intentions
|
The fishing industry and the area's Saxon heritage
|
Artwork, Inspiration,
Architects,
Fabricators and
Installation
|
Contact
Tracy McNulty
London Borough of
Barking and Dagenham
Education, Arts & Libraries
The Westbury Centre
Ripple Road
Barking IG11 7PT
Email: artsadmin@lbbd.gov.uk
|
|
Fig 3. Mast guys, sketch
|