A 21-metre tall illuminated stack of multi-coloured boxes set to tower above a South London university’s library ‘will not dazzle passers by’, the artist behind the sculpture has insisted.
But David Batchelor, the Goldsmiths University lecturer who designed the stack of 35 stainless steel boxes, admitted the surrounding area will be ‘significantly brighter’ at night, as a result of his artwork.
Batchelor, 69, made the remarks in planning documents submitted to Lewisham Council for the installation of the sculpture outside Goldsmiths University’s library in New Cross, South London. He said: “I imagine the work will be kept on during the day and evenings. The quality of light will change as the ambient lighting conditions alter. It will be significantly brighter at night but it will not dazzle passers-by.”
The sculpture, called Chromorama, was originally erected on the Broadgate office complex by Liverpool Street Station in 2015. But the multicoloured box tower was dismantled and put into storage after the City of London approved plans to redevelop the site in 2021.
The sculpture was originally going to be reassembled elsewhere on the Broadgate campus, but the City of London struggled to find an appropriate location. Discussions then began with David Batchelor about moving the tower across the river to Goldsmiths University, where he teaches Fine Art.
According to plans submitted to Lewisham Council, the light boxes will sit on top of a 2.5 metre plinth, which will ‘prevent any attempts to climb the structure’. A wooden bench will be attached to the sculpture to provide passers-by with a place to sit and ‘enjoy lunch or have a casual chat’, planning documents add.
David Batchelor was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1955. He has shown his works across the world, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh and Tokyo’s National Art Centre.
Goldsmiths’ alumni includes artists Damien Hirst, Anthony Gormley and Sarah Lucas. The university also counts the late fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, director Steve McQueen and Princess Beatrice among its alumni.
Lewisham Council will make a decision on whether the sculpture can be assembled outside the university’s library at a yet undisclosed later date.
