Guildhall Square, Southampton

'You have really pulled it off on the public realm space and quality... truly this is a civic space with character and atmosphere befitting any European city'. Paul Devitt Design Director- Regions South - Capita Symonds 'Guildhall Square is to be one of the city's most important public places, a memorable civic space fit for outdoor events, performances and celebration. Chris Tipping has developed a public art strategy that focuses on movement, performance and light. Two circles are defined in the granite by texturing the surface of the paving and are symbolic of the fair grounds that once occupied the site. This brings a tactile and visual shift to the square and plays on light, reflection and colour contrast. A series of bespoke benches are engraved with quotes relating to the history of the Guildhall'. (Southampton City Council) Tipping was commissioned by Southampton City Council & collaborated throughout with the project team of SCC, Mott MacDonald, Bardon Construction, Hardscape & Decomo to inform & shape project outcomes by researching & presenting a public art strategy and interpretive concept brief based on the history & use of the site. This was manifest in the granite paving detailing and the bespoke polished cantilever concrete benches with inset text. The glass atrium artwork, commissioned by Atlantic Property Development Plc & Capita for the adjacent No 1 Guildhall is a further expression of this concept. Elizabeth Smith, Southampton City Council's Art and Public Realm Project Officer, outlined the successful collaboration: 'Chris Tipping is an outstanding artist whose creative ideas significantly contribute to the form and quality of our public realm. He possesses a high degree of technical expertise and knowledge that ensures all his ideas can be fully translated to the built form. Chris delights working in partnership with client, contractor and specialist fabricator from concept to practical completion on site, often pushing the perceived limits of production methods to achieve new and remarkable outcomes. Chris's work in Southampton has enabled the City Council to deliver some of its most challenging public realm projects, furthering the understanding and appreciation of the role of the artist in the design and planning of our cities.'