'Murmuration', Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

Murmuration– a collective noun for Starlings The inspiration for this project is the ‘Starling Spectacular’ seen over the Somerset Levels at the RSPB Reserves at Ham Wall & Shapwick Heath. What is mesmerising & memorable is that particular flocking movement, which results in the creation of brilliant, original & fluid abstract forms. This project has evolved as an interpretation, – not an illustration - of such an event. I believe that this is an especially evocative image to conjure with when describing a dynamic Hospital environment such as Musgrove Park, itself a large social grouping working in unison. The Murmuration captures a single moment when everyone is working in unison. It is an implicit thing performed unconsciously. The concept explores the shadow cast by a flocking Murmuration of starlings as it races around the new building – casting abstracted forms across the zinc clad rain screens on the most prominent corners – hence the use of cut-off panels where the design over-sails the building. It was intended that the work could be seen from afar and from varying aspects as one approaches the Hospital and the new Jubilee Building both on foot and by car or public transport. The installation needed to be considered as an invisible fix as seen from ground level & hidden fixings were employed. 30 panels of 2mm 316 marine grade stainless steel were used in total - 22 ellipses and 8 smaller circles make up the work. The panels are a mix of bright mirror & satin finishes, to vary the reflective impact of the work. All bolts, screws, spigots, spacer brackets & fixing plates are marine grade steel. The works are mounted onto zinc clad rainscreen elevations using two colours of zinc per elevation - ‘Quartz’ & ‘Pigmento Green’ & ‘Quartz’ & ‘Pigmento Red’. Horizontal zinc tiles at 400mm centres are set out in 2000mm, 1500mm, 1000mm & 800mm modules providing a random and layered effect as both backdrop and landscape for the work. The variations in height and surface finishes of the panels further enhance the sculptural qualities of the work and the effects and consequences of natural light and the Somerset weather upon it. The project was commissioned by Capital Projects at Musgrove Park & T&ST NHS Foundation Trust for the new Jubilee Surgical Building completed in April 2014, delivered by BAM & BDP Architects. The artwork was manufactured & installed in collaboration with Taunton Fabrications.