A new installation by Vivienne Roche entitled 'Light Ensemble' and described as a 'sculptural bridge between architecture and music', was unveiled on the 30th June 2008 at CIT Cork School of Music on Union Quay, Cork. She explains this bridge by the fact that light is fundamental in architecture and that timing is central to both music and light.
The pieces are titled '15.33', '15.35' and 'Night' The first two referring to light reflection at precise times. "15:33" names the painted work and is the precise time when the chosen reflection was cast in June 5th 2007 as it fell on the southern wall of the new building's atrium. Similarly reflecting a light image, "15:35" names her work realised in the stuccodore plaster .
The painting "15:33" occupies the exact shape and place of the reflection at 15:33, whereas the plaster work "15:35" is positioned at a different level to its originating reflection like an echoing reprise. The final piece, "Night", features the curved elegant blackness of the grand piano and is located on the second floor.
The work was commissioned and jointly funded by Murray O'Laoire Architects and John Sisk and Son Ltd as a gift to CIT Cork School of Music. Seán Ó Laoire, Director, Murray Ó Laoire Architects described it:
"as an exploration of the relationship between architecture and music”
At the unveiling, Ralph Bingham, Director, Murray Ó Laoire Architects and responsible for the design of the new Cork School of Music building, said that
"Architectural projects like this come around once in a lifetime" and that "Vivienne has done everyone proud with this Light Ensemble"
Dr Geoffrey Spratt, Director of the CIT Cork School of Music, on behalf of all its students and staff, expressed thanks for Vivienne Roche's installations:
"We are privileged to work in a building characterised by the inspirational architecture and design of Murray Ó Laoire Architects, which demanded a veritable textbook of construction techniques that were all realised with great skill by John Sisk & Sons Ltd and their sub-contractors. Gradually the CSM is being graced by visual art and this triptych by one of Ireland's leading sculptors is of tremendous significance and haunting beauty."
One of Ireland’s leading sculptors, Vivienne Roche RHA is a member of Aosdána and spent 14 months working on the pieces.
The six storey, 12,000 sq m School of Music building for CIT is located within the centre of Cork City overlooking the River Lee and was completed in 2007. It accommodates 400 full time and 2000 part time students across all age groups. One of the first five ‘pilot PPP schools projects’ undertaken by the Irish Government, it includes the most advanced IT, communication and specialist audio systems integrated together to form a world class environment for audio teaching and learning.
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