Softroom architects approached Cinimod Studio to collaborate on this commission by Imperial Property to design a large permanent artwork to be integrated within the base of a new tower block development in Reading.
The brief was to retain as much of the base-architect’s design as possible, whilst bringing an exciting new design element to the tower. Our artwork proposal makes a novel use of lighting and perspectives to create a “trompe l’oueil” effect of a virtual void at the base of the tower. Discovered by artists in the Renaissance, the perspective drawing creates the illusion of three-dimensions on a two-dimensional surface. These same principles have been employed to produce the illusion of a void in which a blue cube is floating. By analyzing the view-lines towards the building from the surrounding streets, a perspective illusion is constructed which can be read from a key vantage point. When viewed off-axis, the artwork vanishes to reveal an intriguing geometrical framework.
The artwork is to be constructed primarily using standard architectural components, with simply their finishes and layout modified. Additional lighting is used at night to further accentuate the work.