Output details

Boy Racer - a Gold Leaf Sculptural Art Installation, commissioned by Arts Bournemouth for Bournemouth Arts Festival by the Sea 2012.

Boy Racer was a gold leaf sculptural installation supported by funding awarded by Arts By the Sea Festival, Bournemouth, following an open invitation to submit proposals for new commissions in response to the theme of ‘journeys’. The Festival is an annual artist-led multi artform festival organised by Bournemouth Borough Council in collaboration with a number of organisations including Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and supported by Arts Council England, Creative England and Film Forever. The Installation was exhibited in front of Bournemouth Pier on the opening day and evening of the four week festival held between 29 September and 29 October 2012.

Research Imperatives

The research focus around the awkward journey of growing up. Can youthful excitement about the world be maintained whilst raising one’s own children? How do the challenges of adoption alter the social and cultural perspective of an object? How are objects of status and adolescent transgression understood by a public audience who are not part of a youth culture?

The work builds on previous site specific installations created by Hall such as Boiler at Trinity Boyd Wharf, London. Boy Racer is a celebration of youth; its position on the seafront in Bournemouth reflecting a meeting point for groups and gangs of young people on the south coast. The Boy Racer is provocatively parked, sitting as though it has been put down by a glacier, looking slightly out of context. The car rejoices in the exuberance of the customised blank and the subversive youth culture of the auto meet; its status is as a god to a transient group, adorned with gold and revered as an icon.

Portfolio

CD: Images of installation on display at the opening of Bournemouth Arts Festival by the Sea 2012

Paper:

(i) Date of dissemination – Festival Programme

(ii) Postcards produced by Arts Bournemouth

(iii) Evolver May – June 2013

http://www.artsbournemouth.org.uk/2012/07/journeys-eleven-emerging-artist-commissions-announced-for-2012-festival/