Superconductor

Superconductor 160607 was a bold and adventurous artwork by artists Gaia Alessi and Richard Bradbury. A huge, temporary maze-like structure, designed specifically for the former Twyford factory site - a future development site in Queenborough and Rushenden - made from scaffolding and specially produced magenta-pink plastic fencing. Measuring 30m x 30m Superconductor 160607 consisted of a complex system of chambers and passages where visitors could roam and explore.

The project was commissioned to celebrate Architecture Week 2007 and is part of ‘Art at the Centre’, an on going programme of artists’ projects and creative events taking place in Queenborough and Rushenden in the lead up to an ambitious regeneration scheme. Through Superconductor 160607 visitors and the local community had the opportunity to explore the future building site. Designed to be interacted with by everybody, Superconductor 160607 was a meeting place, both physically and conversationally, where families could roam, children could explore and play hide and seek, and visitors could retreat.

Built following a plan from 13th Century Islamic architecture, it raised questions about the architectural and built environment alongside its function as a stimulating and enjoyable installation that encouraged exploration and play. In response to the success of the installation at Trafalgar Square Gaia Alessi and Richard Bradbury drew up plans for a modular version of the work that could be tailored to suit a variety of locations, and came up with a simple and elegant solution. This modular method has been used to create an installation for the old Twyford’s site in Queenborough & Rushenden which is unique and particular to its environment. It was constructed of two ever-present materials in the contemporary cityscape: scaffolding poles and high-visibility perforated plastic sheeting. These materials are purely functional, yet curiously magnetic. Whilst scaffold is a very quick, safe and reliable method of building a temporary structure, it is also a rather elegant one that is easily overlooked, since scaffolding is never considered as anything other than a means to an end.

There was an accompanying exhibition at the Castle Gallery, Queenborough, showing film, photographs and drawings of Superconductor 160607 and the project in Trafalgar Square by Gaia Alessi & Richard Bradbury.

We ran two free Saturday Sessions where members of the local community were given a unique opportunity to suggest ideas for public art projects and schemes for key public spaces within the Queenborough and Rushenden regeneration site. The results of the sessions were displayed at The Gateway where visitors were invited to add comments and further suggestions. The outcomes will genuinely help to inform ongoing plans for commissioning public art projects for the area. 

Art at the Centre is funded by Arts Council England, South East and seeks to embed creativity at the heart of regeneration practice. It supports Local Authorities in the south east with ambitious plans for urban renewal. Funding is used to engage artists early on in the process – contributing to regeneration teams that cut across council departments, as well as the public, private and voluntary sectors. www.aatc.org.uk 

The project was funded by Arts Council England, SEEDA and Swale Borough Council and supported by Boddingtons Ltd.