Office of Government Commerce

A panel in 12mm stained glass by Graham Jones has been completed for OGC’s new offices.

OGC wanted a piece of modern glass for the Reception area of their new building. After a site meeting and specification briefing from the client, Graham Jones produced a total of 3 options in sketch form and a final choice of image was adapted from one of these. As part of the brief Graham was aware of the style of two large prints by Neil Canning chosen through Art Contact to hang in adjacent areas of the Reception and he incorporated approriately sympathetic colour and line into his glass designs. (The Canning prints’ Nile’ and ‘Thermal’ were the last available in now sold-out editions and have undoubtedly increased in value since installation.)

Because of computer printing technology, a small sketch can be faithfully and accurately reproduced up to the scale of the finished 12mm thick glass panel, which measures 1.2 x 2.3 m., so the client is accurately aware of how the finished piece will look. However, the artist himself works on the etched and coloured surface, thus giving the free and personal touch of the artist to the finished work. As examples; the white touches in the top left of the work were adjusted and toned down by Jones once the work had been hung, in reaction to seeing the work actually in situ. Several areas of beautiful surface texture emerged during the process of manufacture of the panel and were left incorporated in the design.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and commission artwork for new offices
  • Client – Office of Government Commerce
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Central london
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Strategy
  • Planning
  • Art Selection
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Framing & Display
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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BT Gatwick – BCO Award Winning Scheme

BT has won the “Fit out Workplace (Major Projects)” award, both on the National and Regional levels, for its new offices at City Place, Gatwick. Works commissioned by Art Contact are an important aspect of the interior, and we are delighted to have contributed to BT’s success.

Two major installations by David MacIlwaine were installed together with a panel work by Ian Wilkinson.

‘Water Curtain’ is a suspended mobile sculpture above the reception/street area running parallel with the front glass wall of the building. Shapes of light gathering and mirror acrylic are suspended at different heights by a number of cables. ‘Fire Piece’ consists of a rectangular white aluminium frame 3m x 5.5m, strung with translucent nylon mesh as a support structure for 6mm diameter light gathering acrylic rods in red, orange and blue. In addition, a series of abstract perspex installations by Ian Wilkinson were commissioned by Art Contact for the main reception area.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and supply sculpture for Atrium and other artworks
  • Client – BT
  • Sector – Commercial
  • Location – City Place, Gatwick
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Strategy
  • Planning
  • Art Selection
  • Procurement
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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"Art Contact's strength is in their ability to fully understand the brief, to make the best use of available budget and put forward the most relevant and exciting work from emerging artists."

Malcolm Brown, Brand and Identity Manager, BT Group Communications

British Telecom – Leavesden

“Flight” by Diana Edmunds is a suspended multi-element mobile sculpture, now installed in three locations in the new Leavesden offices: the main entrance atrium, and additionally in 2 locations in the Concourse area.
The work is made of light edge acrylic, with stainless steel weights and cables. There are 150 elements, 4-5 per cable, each to dimensions 70cm – 120 cm.

The scope of the work emerged as a result of detailed collaboration between the Diana Edmunds, Rachael Brown of Building Design Partnership, and Virginia Grub of Art Contact.
Rachael Brown comments; “The sculpture is a very successful interpretation of our requirements for Leavesden and has made a significant contribution to the atmosphere of the Street.”

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and commission sculpture for Atrium
  • Client – British Telecom
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Leavesden
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Strategy
  • Planning
  • Community Arts
  • Art Selection
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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"The sculpture is a very successful interpretation of our requirements for Leavesden and has made a significant contribution to the atmosphere of the Street."

Rachael Brown of Building Design Partnership

British Telecom – Oswestry

Glass and Bronze at BT Oswestry

Glass panels by Graham Jones, an external bronze abstract by Dennis Westwood and paintings by Charlotte Cornish at BT’s latest Workstyle offices.

Graham Jones’ impressive piece for the reception area consists three panels of 12mm toughened glass, each measuring 1.43m x 2.7m, etched on one side and colour enamelled on the other.

The second consists of two screens, slumped glass in front and 12mm toughened pre-sandblasted glass, acid-etched, behind. It both affords light and provides privacy to the internal theatre area.

Dennis Westwood’s external bronze provides a powerful contrast. Entitled ‘Infineum II’ it is cast in silicon bronze and stands 1.4 metres high on a granite base. It is sited to be viewed both from the external approach and from within the atrium.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source select and supply commissioned glass screen and other artworks for offices
  • Client – British Telecom
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Oswestry
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Strategy
  • Planning
  • Community Arts
  • Art Selection
  • Procurement
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Framing & Display
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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"Art Contact's strength is in their ability to fully understand the brief, to make the best use of available budget and put forward the most relevant and exciting work from emerging artists."

Malcolm Brown, Brand and Identity Manager, BT Group Communications

John Lewis

John Lewis partners moving into the new state-of–the-art offices at Jubilee House in Bracknell are discovering a vibrant collection of contemporary abstract art.

A pair of large abstract paintings by Charlotte Cornish and two sets of commissioned monoprints by Sarah Simpson bring a focus of dynamic colour to the central atrium area.

Working closely with interior designers Tilney Shane, Art Contact presented a series of alternatives to the client. Large open spaces required strong dynamic artworks capable of making a strong visual statement within the impressive architecture of the building.

In addition, a series of monoprint constructions by Trevor Price hang in main offices, together with a series of seascape photographs by Rosie Maguire.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and commission artworks
  • Client – John Lewis
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Jubilee House, Bracknell
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Art Selection
  • Procurement
  • Project Management
  • Framing & Display
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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Delta (UK) Property Developers

Art Contact has just completed management of a major woven silk commission for Delta (UK) Property Developers.
The client’s requirement was for a powerful large-scale work to introduce dynamic colour and form to the reception area of their new high-spec office development in the Kings Road, Chelsea.

The work consists of twelve panels in woven silk, with overall dimensions of 4.5 metres x 1 metre. This creates a powerful, positive impact upon entering the building.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and woven silk commission for Atrium
  • Client – Delta (UK) Property Developers
  • Sector – corporate
  • Location – Kings Road, Chelsea.
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Planning
  • Art Selection
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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Cambourne Business Park

Installation of two large hand-tufted wool rugs by the artist Yve Houghton at Cambourne Business Park.

Joint developers Wrenbridge and Development Securities are initiating a strategy for the integration of contemporary art in the built environment. Art Contact’s initial brief from Peter Jarman of Wrenbridge was to commission abstract artworks, which would bring individuality and colour to the large reception areas of the two main buildings.
Two works, both in 16mm wool pile were produced: A wall-hanging diptych 8 metres high and a floor rug 4 metres by 3 metres.

“The rugs help to provide a stylish working atmosphere, and we are delighted with the result” comments Jarman.

In addition, advised by Virginia Grub of Art Contact, the Business Park has acquired a collection of paintings and framed abstract limited editions and monoprints, on a rental scheme allowing change after an initial period. Local Cambridge painter Charlotte Cornish is represented in building 2030 with a large vibrant abstract oil on canvas and a series of screenprints.

Other artists on display include Stephen Bartlett and “the grand old man of English abstract printmaking”, Albert Irvin.
The inclusion of the colour, individuality and aesthetic impact of well-chosen contemporary artworks is contributing to Cambourne Business Park’s success as a working environment second to none in the region.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and supply artworks to offices in Cambourne
  • Client – Cambourne Business Park
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Cambourne, Cambridge
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Strategy
  • Planning
  • Community Arts
  • Art Selection
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Rental
  • Framing & Display
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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“The rugs help to provide a stylish working atmosphere, and we are delighted with the result” “Art Contact's rental scheme has been a great source for some of our projects where we only require flexible short-term rentals to enhance the building.”

Peter Jarman of Wrenbridge

British Telecom – Temple Quay, Bristol

‘Satellite’, the latest major installation in Art Contact’s programme for the use of art in BT offices, has just been installed at Temple Quay, Bristol.

The work, created by Diana Edmunds in collaboration with David Macilwaine, consists of a pair of suspended mobile installations, one of 3-metre diameter, the other 2.75 metre diameter. The larger of the two elements has two additional outer rings 4.7metres in diameter, suspended from the main cable and revolving around the whole. Materials used are light edge acrylic, mirrored acrylic, stainless steel and structural aluminium.

The sculpture refers to the concept of satellite communications. The integral use of light refers to the idea of optics in communication technology, as well as acting as a unifying and communicating factor between the two elements of the work.

Multicoloured light bounces between the satellites and is reflected on the walls of the atrium.
Particularly after dark, the effect is, according to one source; “amazing – after a long day it really has a positive effect – a great success.”

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and commission mobile sculpture for Atrium
  • Client – British Telecom
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Temple Quay, Bristol
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Strategy
  • Planning
  • Community Arts
  • Art Selection
  • Procurement
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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“amazing – after a long day it really has a positive effect – a great success.”

Police Mutual Assurance

Jan Blake’s subtle, translucent installation for Police Mutual Assurance.

Installation by Jan Blake – commissioned by Art Contact.
For further details, please contact Virginia Grub.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and commission artwork for offices
  • Client – Police Mutual Assurance
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Central london
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Planning
  • Community Arts
  • Art Selection
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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JJ (UK) Ltd – William Crozier Commission

A commission of three large-scale paintings on canvas has recently been completed by William Crozier.

The brief was for powerful abstracted landscapes to make a bold statement in the context of the client’s traditional wood-panelled interior. Eventually William Crozier was commissioned to paint a series of five paintings, the largest 190cm x 250cm. All the tray-framing was water-gilded by Clare Kooy-Lister.

William Crozier was born in Glasgow in 1930 of Irish parents. He began travelling around Europe after graduating from the Glasgow School of Art and has continued to do so ever since. Predominantly a landscape painter, his paintings are recognisable for their vibrant, almost fauvist use of colour. He has exhibited extensively in Europe, Ireland, South America and the US and is represented in galleries world-wide. A retrospective of his work was held jointly by the RHA Gallagher Gallery and the Crawford Municipal Gallery in 1990 and was warmly welcomed by both the press and public. Crozier lives in West Cork.

PROJECT SUMMARY

  • Object – Source, select and commission art works for offices – William Crozier commissioned.
  • Client – JJ (UK) Ltd
  • Sector – Corporate
  • Location – Knightbridge, London
  • Status – Completed

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Consultation
  • Planning
  • Art Selection
  • Commissioning
  • Project Management
  • Framing & Display
  • Art Handling
  • Transportation
  • Installation
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