NICHE by Orla de Brí – UNIVERSITY CAMPUS LIMERICK SEPTEMBER 2021 AND MAY 2018
When I first photographed this a few years ago I thought that this was the “diver” and could not find any relevant information but as a result of my 2021 visit and the use of a reverse image search I discovered that the artist responsible was Orla de Brí. I am now in the process of publishing the 2021 and 2018 images.
In 2021 I used a Sony A7RIV with a Voigtlander 40mm lens In 2018 I used a Sony A7RIII with a Sony FE 24-70mm lens [the better combination]
Niche’ was commissioned for the campus of The University of Limerick. 8 meters in height, it comprises a polished bronze figure with branches on a Corten Steel pilar.
Orla is an Irish Sculptor with a studio in Co Meath. de Brí works in bronze, steel and fibreglass. She has had seven Solo Shows, and has completed 27 site-specific, large-scale public sculptures, in Ireland, London and Istanbul.
Working in both Gallery and Public Art her work is also in many significant private collections both nationally and internationally.
This visit to Limerick I limited myself to using primes and I am not sure if it was a good idea and I may not limit myself in this way when I visit Belfast at the end of the month. Also, much to me surprise, there was a lot of dust on the sensor which was more than annoying. Much to my surprise as I had my camera professionally cleaned a few days earlier.
The Living Bridge – An Droichead Beo is a unique design by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, London and consists of seven 50-metre spans linked together by piers which create four platforms of refuge for walkers.
The platforms are designed to accommodate social gatherings, informal teaching sessions, music and dance performances, as well as a wide array of educational, social and cultural activities – all contributing to this facility’s status as a “living” bridge”.
The bridge alternates between rhythms of bridge and island, with lightweight bridge structures joining to more solid pier locations. This is reflected by the change in construction materials from steel to concrete and the transition from open parapets to solid pillars and glazed side walls which serve to shelter the “inhabitants” of this animated facility.
The architects designed the bridge to move in a beautiful flowing line across the Shannon, mirroring the river. The design conveys the sense of a series of bridges leaping from pier to pier, each supported by one of the existing islands in the riverbed. This gives the traveller the sense that they are crossing the river on stepping stones.
From the south campus, access to the bridge is through what presents itself as a hidden gateway in the Millstream Courtyard and provides a vital link between the Glucksman Library, Concert Hall and Millstream developments to the Health Sciences and the new Irish World Academy of Music and Dance on the north bank. An impressive Plaza will welcome you to Clare once you have travelled over the bridge.
The Pedestrian Living Bridge project was resourced through a partnership of private and public funding and was assigned to Arup Consulting Engineers in Dublin. Kerin Contract Management in Limerick managed the project while building work was undertaken by Eiffel Construction, France’s largest bridge builder.
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