Exploring the Role of 'Visual Catalysts' on Influencing People's Attraction and Use of Place

CASE STUDY 1 : UNDERFOOT
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> case studies selected for this <strong>the</strong>sis was <strong>the</strong> light display known as Underfoot,
by Australian artists Indermühle + Indermühle (Destination NSW a 2016). The creative
placemaking intervention (fitting under <strong>the</strong> category <strong>of</strong> a ‘visual catalyst’) by Aly Indermühle and
Balthasar Indermühle was exhibited during <strong>the</strong> VIVID 2016 festival in Sydney. This festival ran
from <strong>the</strong> 27th <strong>of</strong> May to <strong>the</strong> 18th <strong>of</strong> June, and was active during <strong>the</strong> times <strong>of</strong> 18:00 to 23:00.
The intervention was located at Walsh Bay in Sydney; directly under <strong>the</strong> harbour bridge footing
along Hickson Road. To understand <strong>the</strong> conceptual grounding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project, a description <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> case study from <strong>the</strong> artists can be read below:
“Underfoot celebrates <strong>the</strong> blending <strong>of</strong> light that occurs when <strong>the</strong> warm, rich tones <strong>of</strong> an
Australian sunset interact with <strong>the</strong> colours and textures <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sandstone supports <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> Sydney Harbour Bridge. The resulting artwork highlights <strong>the</strong> everyday foundations <strong>of</strong>
Sydney’s landmarks and <strong>the</strong> materials from which <strong>the</strong> city is built.
The installation lies on <strong>the</strong> boundary between light sculpture and facade illumination;
it explores complex interactions between <strong>the</strong> viewer, light and <strong>the</strong> surrounding space
and brings new emphasis to this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bridge’s structure and its location on <strong>the</strong>
meandering Hickson Road drive way. This scenic road and its paved footpath hug <strong>the</strong>
harbour foreshore, yet are <strong>of</strong>ten overlooked by visitors.
With <strong>the</strong>ir keen sense <strong>of</strong> atmosphere, <strong>the</strong> Indermühles have created a work that takes an
everyday illumination point and elevates it to light art.” (Destination NSW a 2016)
The installation was chosen for study for its applicability to <strong>the</strong> research aims and objectives;
that being to understand whe<strong>the</strong>r a ‘visual catalyst’ in a public space can influence a person’s
experience <strong>of</strong> place. This case study was located in a site which is currently underutilised,
so an understanding <strong>of</strong> whe<strong>the</strong>r an experience <strong>of</strong> site can be cultivated can also emerge.
Additionally, <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> wanting to change <strong>the</strong> relationship and attraction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> place
as stated in <strong>the</strong> project description is a notion which links strongly with this research project
which seeks to explore <strong>the</strong> relationship <strong>of</strong> temporality and interventionism. It was also chosen
due to it being in Sydney; a place <strong>of</strong> proximity and also a place which has not undergone
significant research into creative placemaking outcomes.
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