Martin Boyce

We are shipwrecked and landlocked

RMIT UNIVERSITY ALUMNI COURTYARD
22 OCTOBER - 30 NOVEMBER 2008

Kaldor Public Art Projects, in collaboration with RMIT University, is proud to present a new sculptural installation by Martin Boyce in RMIT’s Alumni Courtyard.

Boyce has selected the historically rich RMIT University Alumni Courtyard, in the city of Melbourne, as the site for his Kaldor Art Project commission. This rare inner city open space will become a Modernist inspired garden of 'palm' trees constructed from the same geometric element that has appeared in many of his recent projects.

This form has its source in concrete trees created by Joel and Jan Martel for the 1925 Exposition des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. Boyce has taken the basic geometric element utilised to create these concrete trees and remodelled it as three palm trees, a winding screen/fence intersected by a hose and other objects such as a warped rubbish bin and drain grate.

These sculptural elements made from industrial materials are a play between the abstract and figurative, creating a dream like landscape of structures and objects. His structures create an atmospheric mise-en-scene of narrative fragments abstracted from familiar social spaces, such as car parks and underpasses.

Kaldor Public Art Projects and RMIT University

RMIT University School of Art is proud to be part of a groundbreaking and prestigious Kaldor Public Arts Project with Scottish artist Martin Boyce. The School is working with Kaldor Arts Projects and and Mr Boyce to maximise work integrated learning (WIL) opportunities and research for staff and students. Disciplines that are part of the work-integrated learning aspects include Fine Art Photography, Fine Art Drawing, Fine Art Sculpture, Media Arts, Arts Management, Project Management, Public Relations, and Professional Communication.

Founder of Kaldor Arts Projects, John Kaldor said: “This project is ground-breaking and

important in several ways: it will be the interaction between a contemporary work of art and an important historical site that the public can engage with during their work day in Melbourne.”

“It is also pioneering as it’s the first time an art project will have a direct educational role. Selected students and lecturers have been involved since the inception of this project, giving students first hand experience. It is the aim of Kaldor Arts Projects to expand its arts education and, this pilot program with the enthusiastic help of RMIT, is an important step,” he said.

RMIT Courtyard