The design of the square is based on a formal rectangular grid seamlessly connecting with the riverfront promenade and the surrounding developments. The abstract place making quality of the square is accentuated by 16 boxed trees and a lighting installation by artist Peter Fink. The art work creates an informal overlay over the paving grid using embedded LED programmable strip lighting. The presence of people in the square creates metaphorical rooms of light as well as accentuates the direction of their movement. When the light installation is not triggered it pulses gently with random flows of light and with individual programming on specific days such New Year, St Davids, Valentines.
The project was commissioned by Swansea City Council and the Welsh Assembly. The lighting installation was realised as a collaboration between the artist and Urban Projects.
Peter Fink was born in London and brought up in the USA and Czechoslovakia where he graduated in engineering in 1968. In 1969 he returned to live permanently in the UK and graduated in Visual Arts at St. Martins School of Art in 1973 and in Philosophy at University College London in 1978. For 40 years Peter worked as an independent artist realising a range of award winning public art and installations internationally. Peter's keen interest in architecture has also extended into teaching as a Unit Master at the Architectural Association and as a Dissertation Master at the Bartlett Institute school of Architecture. In 2006 he became a founding partner of FoRM Associates.
(Jim Evans)
