A striking new sculpture has been unveiled at the entrance to the Jennison building, home to the School of Engineering and Digital Arts (EDA).
The ‘Synapse-Soleil’ sculpture, was designed by Michael Green and Sam Frewer, both PhD candidates within EDA, and constructed by Tunbridge Wells blacksmith Michael Hart.
The sculpture is the result of a competition in 2012 to design a sculpture for a plinth outside the EDA building, which had stood empty for 40 years. The project was jointly funded by Creative Campus, which supports best practice to mark out the University as a highly creative place to work, study, play and visit, and the Ingenuity Fund, established by John Washington to fund postgraduate students demonstrating an entrepreneurial and public-spirited approach to their studies.
Michael Green, who completed a BSc in Multimedia Technology and Design at Kent in 2008, commented: ‘After much research and speaking to several individuals with expertise in sculpture and construction, including the EDA workshop and a visit to the School of Arts in Medway, we fine-tuned the original concept, which was initially designed in a 3D computer package.’
The Synapse-Soleil sculpture evokes the Russian constructivist work of Tatlin’s Monument to the Third International (c1919). The sculpture’s framework of intertwining strands is symbolic of the various disciplines within EDA. A smooth orb forms the structure’s focal point, representing the present day as it reflects its surroundings.
The sculpture was installed for the start of the University’s 50th anniversary celebrations, with support from Paul Griffiths and Nigel Futter of the Estates Department. A formal unveiling by Dr Louise Naylor, Director of the Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching, took place on 22 October in front of students, alumni, staff, former staff and friends of EDA.
For further information, see EDA’s webpages.