Spanda (Australian art work)

File:Perth (AU), Elizabeth Quay, "Spanda" -- 2019 -- 0260.jpg

In September 2014, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority in Perth, Western Australia, released an open call for proposals for an artist to create a signature artwork for the Elizabeth Quay development on the Swan River. Several hundred applications were received, and five artists were shortlisted. In March 2015, a panel of 10 individuals unanimously voted to award Christian de Vietri the {{AUD|1,380,000|link=yes}} commission, equivalent to {{AUD|{{Inflation|AU|{{#expr:1380000/10^6}}|2015|r=1}}{{nbsp}}million}} in {{Inflation/year|AU}}, to create Spanda.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-22/perths-elizabeth-quay-to-get-eight-storey-sculpture/6563510|title=Perth's Elizabeth Quay to get eight-storey sculpture|last=Andrew O'Connor|date=2015-06-22|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-04-18}}

The artwork is a series of six gloss-white nested arches that are the same shape but varying exponentially in size. The thickness of each arch tapers as it rises from the ground, reaching its finest diameter at the top. The smallest arch is a comfortable frame for a human body, or two. The largest arch reaches {{convert|29|m}}, or 9 stories high, encompassing the smaller five, and reaching beyond the height of some buildings around it. The artwork seems to complete itself by the presence of a human being.{{cn |date=April 2025}} When someone stands inside the arch, the shape and the repetitions of the form suggest{{says who? |date=April 2025}} contours of a moving field surrounding the individual's body, and create the impression of an infinite vibration inwards and/or{{which? |date=February 2025}} outwards.{{Cite web|url=https://archello.com/project/spanda|title=Spanda {{!}} Christian de Vietri|website=Archello|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}

There is a pattern of self-similarity in the way the form is exponentially repeated,{{cn |date=April 2025}} which the artists says was;{{Cite web|url=https://archello.com/project/spanda|title=Spanda {{!}} Christian de Vietri|website=Archello|language=en|access-date=2020-04-19}}

{{blockquote |text=intended to trigger the viewer’s own inner experience of 'the whole being contained within all the parts', the recognition of themselves as individual expressions of the universal, intimately interconnected and one with their total environment [...].}}

This could be compared{{says who? |date=April 2025}} to what William Blake describes in Auguries of Innocence:{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/perth/programs/breakfast/spanda-sculpture/9352558|title=Statues of Perth: Spanda at Elizabeth Quay|date=2018-01-23|website=ABC Radio|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-04-18}}

{{blockquote |text=To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour [...].}}

Spanda was conceived and situated by the artist to function harmoniously with the site,{{cn |date=April 2025}} Elizabeth Quay, which was designed by ARM Architecture and was being constructed at the same time as the sculpture. Gaps between each arch allow people to walk through the sculpture. The sculpture is installed such that the curvature of the form contrasts with the gridded square buildings behind it, without obscuring the city view.

The title was inspired by de Vietri's experience with the spanda teachings of Kashmir Shaivism.{{Cite web|url=https://garlandmag.com/article/yogic-practice-and-public-art/|title=Looking in looking out: Yogic practice and public art in Western Australia|website=Garland Magazine|date=12 March 2018 |language=en-AU|access-date=2020-04-18}} Spanda, is a Sanskrit word meaning {{gloss |divine vibration}}, or {{gloss |pulse}}. This term is used to describe{{says who? |date=April 2025}} how consciousness, at the subtlest level, moves in waves of contraction and expansion. Spanda, according to Kashmir Shaivism,{{cn |date=April 2025}} is the creative pulse of the Absolute as it manifests into the dynamism of Relative form. It might be understood as the universal desire to manifest, like an eternal spring, joyfully over-flowing and always full.{{Cite book|last=Dyczkowski|first=Mark S. G.|title=The Doctrine of Vibration|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1989|isbn=81-208-0596-8|location=Delhi|pages=21}} De Vietri is said to have designed the sculpture both as a formal embodiment of this spanda principle, and as a tool, or means, to experience it.{{Cite web|url=http://www.archdaily.com/787616/spanda-christian-de-vietri|title=Spanda / Christian de Vietri|date=2016-06-01|website=ArchDaily|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-19}}

Spanda was designed by de Vietri using 3D modelling software. To create the structure, carbon fibre manufacturing and design technologies from the aerospace industry were re-purposed by a team of fabricators and engineers. This enabled a unique civil structure that could not have been delivered in traditional materials. Initial tests indicated that it was impossible to make the sculpture in other materials, such as steel. The sculpture was fabricated by the Brisbane based company ShapeShift over a period of nine months.{{cn |date=April 2025}} Adam Mitchell was the engineer for the project. Mitchell engineered the sculpture in such a way that maintained the seamlessness and elegance of de Vietri’s design, while at the same time being very strong, even at the finer apex of the form, {{convert|30|m}} off the ground. Moulds for each element were CNC milled and then formed in carbon fiber reinforced polymer. The arches were made in sections that were then joined on site. The sculpture is coated in a highly durable gloss white finish.{{Cite web|url=https://www.createdigitalmagazine.org.au/engineer-cutting-edge-designs/|title=Form and function: How one engineer brings cutting-edge designs to life|date=2018-01-06|website=Create digital magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.interiordesign.net/articles/12919-christian-de-vietri-sculpture-throws-perth-riverfront-for-a-curve/|title=Christian de Vietri Sculpture Throws Perth Riverfront For a Curve|last=Waligore|first=Athena|date=2017-06-27|website=Interior Design|language=en-us|access-date=2020-04-18}}

The installation of the sculpture took ten days, the final arch being crane-lifted into place on 22 January 2016.

The lighting of the sculpture was designed by de Vietri in collaboration with the Melbourne based lighting design company Electrolight.{{cn |date=April 2025}} The lights are focused to light up the inner face of each arch, making the sculpture appear as if light were radiating out from the centre of the form.

The official opening of Elizabeth Quay and unveiling of Spanda occurred on 29 January 2016, and was attended by over 30,000 people.

Data from the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority showed that 6.6 million people visited the sculpture site in its first year of opening.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mra.wa.gov.au/news-and-updates/article/elizabeth-quay-in-numbers|title=Elizabeth Quay in numbers|website=www.mra.wa.gov.au|language=en-au|access-date=2020-04-19}} Spanda has been embraced as an icon for the City of Perth,{{according to whom? |date=April 2025}} appearing daily{{as of? |date=April 2025}} as the backdrop for local news shows,{{cn |date=April 2025}} and constantly serving as a backdrop for public activities that take place at Elizabeth Quay. It is featured in many souvenirs, postcards, and products from Perth.{{elaborate |date=April 2025}} Various yoga, health, and fitness groups have had activities and events under the arches.{{cn |date=April 2025}} Weddings take place there frequently.{{fact |date=April 2025}} A pop-up Dîner en Blanc was organized around the sculpture.{{Cite web|url=http://www.archdaily.com/787616/spanda-christian-de-vietri|title=Spanda / Christian de Vietri|date=2016-06-01|website=ArchDaily|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}} A sculpture of the Buddha was installed under the arches for the Buddha's Birthday celebration on 8 April 2018.{{Citation|title=Buddha's Birthday & Multicultural festival 2018 - Perth| date=14 April 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdBjLUP8rmY|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}

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{{subject bar |auto=y |portal1=Western Australia |portal2=Visual art }}

Category:Public art in Western Australia

Category:Elizabeth Quay

Category:Outdoor sculptures in Australia