Reach sculpture for Great Western Park

Reach sculpture home page

sculpture for Great Western Park

Reach sculpture for Great Western Park

In celebration of scientific endeavour.

This public artwork by Michael Condron was completed in 2019 following an in-depth programme of research & engagement spannning several years.

There are 600+ circles in the sculpture, each containing a fragment of knowledge sourced from the surrounding scientific community. Coloured glass disks and their etched images were created by local residents, groups, schools, students, children and scientists.

The whole public art process can be seen at publicartgwp.blogspot.com

Detail of sculpture showing coloured glass disks

The pattern of colour is based on the Cosmic Microwave Background, the universe's earliest detectable light.

The sculpture illuminated at night.

In profile, the sculpture takes its shape from the rate of expansion of the universe since the Big Bang.

The left image is a graphic showing the expansion of the universe since the Big Bang. The photo on the right is a side view of the sculpture.

Michael worked with many local groups and individuals to develop initial ideas and to provide the science-themed content for the artwork.

With thanks to all who contributed.

Schools

Aureus: Students and staff worked with the artist to make hundreds of glass circles and designs. The art department generously shared their space and their kiln for the production of the glass circles.

GEMS primary: Children made circle designs for all the known chemical elements.

Stephen Freeman primary: Hosted the project's first community workshop.

UTC Oxfordshire: In the initial stages Michael worked with artist Rachel Barbaresi and four UTC students (Charis, Ella, Justice and Luke) making experimental artworks and developing initial concepts. UTC Oxfordshire also kindly hosted several of Michael's art workshops with local residents. As the commission progressed students and staff made glass circles and etched images. UTC Oxfordshire adopted and are maintaining the artwork for the benefit of all Great Western Park visitors and residents.

Art workshgops with schools and residents

Organisations

Atopix: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Bloodhound SSC: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Café Scientifique: Hosted artist talk and contributed ideas for the etched circle images.

Central Laser Facility: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Cornerstone Arts Centre: Hosted exhibition and public consultation.

Culham Centre for Fusion Energy: Ran a tour with artists and contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Diamond Light Source: Ran a tour with artists and residents, hosted drop-in session and contributed a huge range of source material for the etched circle images.

Element Six: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

European Space Agency: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Evotec: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Immunocore: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Great Western Park Residents Association: Support and communication throughout.

Green Biologics: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Medical Research Council: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Northern Neighbourhood Community Centre: Hosted art workshops and events.

Oxford Brookes University: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Quantum Detectors: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Science & Technology Facilities Council: Provided advice and contacts.

Sport for Streets: Hosted art workshops.

T2K experiment: Contributed source material for the etched circle images.

Taylor Wimpey: Funded the project via a section 106 agreement. Provided advice on sculpture siting and installation.

Women's Institute: Hosted art workshop.

Vale of White Horse District Council: Commissioned the project and supported throughout.

Individuals

Abdullah, Abhiram, Abi H, Abi H-B, Adam, Aiden, Aislínn, Alex, Alex G, Alexander, Alice, Alisha, Amber, Amelia, Amelia B, Amelie, Amie, Aminata, Amy, Andi, Andrea, Ania, Anne, Annette, Annie, Annie S, Anthony, Archie, Archie B, Archie C, Archie I, Archie M, Asher, Ashley, Ben, Ben C, Ben D, Ben E, Benjamin, Beth, Boston, Brad, Bradley, Byron, C Stokes, Cailen, Caitlin, Callain, Cami, Casey, Cerys, Charis, Chioma, Chloe, Christine, Clare, Clayton, Codei, Codei G, Cody, Connor, Daisy, Daniel, Daniel R, Daniel W, Darcy, Debbie, Demi, Dylan, Dyleen, Edward, Eli, Ella, Ellie, Emily, Emily C, Emma, Erin, Ethan, Fali, Felix, Finlay, Finlay I, Finley, Finley W, Fiza, Forbes, Freddie F, Freddie H, Gabie, Gareth, Hannah D, Hannah G, Hannah J-D, Harry, Harry B, Harry J, Harvey, Herbie, Holly, Holly M, India, Isaac, Jack, Jack P, Jack S, Jahz, Jaidon, James, James C, James H, James J, Jamie, Jay, Jaydon, Jess, Joanna, John, Jojo, Joseph, Josh, Josh D, Josh M, Josh W, Joshua A, Justice, Kai, Kaine, Kalmar, Karris, Katrina, Kaylem, Keegan, Keigan, Kelsie, Kian, Killian, Kobe, Kyra, Kyran, Kyron, Lacey, Laura B, Laura C, Leiden, Leila, Leo, Leonardo, Leora, Lewis, Lexi, Liana, Lillie, Lily-Rose, Lorcan, Loren, Louis, Louis B, Lucy, Luke, Maddie, Madelaine, Madoc, Malik, Marcus, Mark, Martin, Mason, Mason S, Matthew, Mau, Max, Max D, Meghau, Meghav, Meghna, Michael, Michael F, Michael F-I, Mickey F, Monet, Monique, Mrs Strange, Muhammad, Nadhir, Naomi, Nat, Natalie, Nathaniel, Nia, Ola, Olamide, Oliver, Oliver A, Oliver M, Oskar, Paige, Patricia, Patrick, Paul, Paula, Penny, Peter, Poppy, Prashna, Queen Z, Rachel, Ranveer, Rhys, Ritvik, RKM, Robyn, Romeo, Rukhmani, Rutendo, Ryan, Sam B, Sam P, Sameera, Sarah, Sarah B, Sarah R, Saul, Sean A, Simeon, Sonny, Sophie, Spencer, Tamas, Taylor, Thomas, Thomas B, Thomas M, Tiffany, Tilly, Tilly N, Tom A, Tristan, Tyler, Walker, William, Zak, Zoe, Zola (if your name is incorrect or missing, please send an email using the link below).

Thanks also to those enthusiastic people who contributed anonymously.