Known for her fascination with rectangles, Grace Tan, via her fashion/design label Kwodrent, has been taking on explorations of all shapes and sizes, producing one-off, organic designs that bridge the gaps between art, architecture and fashion. As an extension of her philosophy, Kwodrent will be collaborating with good people from the OUTr Research Lab from RMIT University on an art piece for Melbourne’s State of Design Festival. Entitled SOL.a, the project aims for environmental awareness with a kinetic sculpture that absorbs and utilises the sun’s solar energy for generation and transformation of renewable energy. Grace tells us more…

What was your inspiration behind the design for this sculpture?
The concept for SOL.a was based on the curational theme for 2010: “change by design”. We are inspired by the idea of environmental sustainability and kinetic structures powered by natural forces. As such, we started exploring the possibility of making something using solar energy. The structure will “awake” and “bloom” when the sun is strong. When there isn’t sunlight, it will be “sleeping” and collapsed.

Any challenges that you faced?
As it’s a public installation at a key location (open space at Federation Square), we required specialist consultation from structural engineer ARUP. Also, the kinetic and solar power elements added further complexity to the project. The largest challenge is that OUTr and Kwodrent are working from two locations, so it took a lot of commitment and patience to design a process that works for both of us all.

Read more about Kwodrent and SOL.a in the July issue of JUICE, now out at these spots (and at all major book stores and news stands for $4).

Get ready for State of Design Festival, happening on 14 to 25 of July at Melbourne, Victoria. More information can be found at www.stateofdesign.com.au.

www.kwodrent.com