Eye catching artwork at our Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library has proved to be a hit with community members exploring the newly opened space.
The $21.864 million facility, jointly funded by Council ($20.364 million) and the Victorian Government via a Living Libraries grant ($1.5 million), opened on Thursday 1 August to the public.
Commissioned by the City, the sculpture and mural are exciting additions to our collection of more than 300 public artworks, monuments, memorials and industrial objects.
Standing at the front of the library at 5.4 metres, Alex Knox's The moment a droplet sculpture shows the nano second when a flying water droplet is disrupted. At this transformative moment, we can see both the perfect order of a droplet and the explosive, shape-shifting undoing of form as it reacts to change.
This imagining of a tiny water droplet transforming into a new state reflects Armstrong Creek's transformation from regional hamlet to a thriving urban centre.
The sculpture's droplet form consists of two spheres, echoing the spherical motive in the building's circular cut outs, and was positioned with the help of Augmented Reality modelling.
A large-scale mural called the Innermost Journey to the Centre of the Mind is found inside the library, depicting the intricate inner workings of a stimulated brain.
This whimsical creation from Surf Coast artist Jeff Raglus shows horns blowing steam, cogs turning and mischievous gremlins scurrying around delivering messages to long-forgotten corners of the mind.
Jeff re-imagined an original painting called Brainworks by painting a 1.5-metre-long artwork that would fit the library's aesthetic, reflect the creativity that libraries foster and be more engaging to children.
The brush strokes and use of thick paints can be seen throughout the artwork, making it look like it was painted directly onto the wall rather than it being photographed and printed onto vinyl.
The library was designed in close consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to create a 'living water' narrative. Biyal-a' (pronounced Be-al-a) is a Wadawurrung expression reflecting the Armstrong Creek valley-scape and its watercourse as a place of many red gums.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
I encourage community members to check out the newly opened library on Main Street, Armstrong Creek.The moment a droplet and the Innermost Journey to the Centre of the Mind have added a playful and creative atmosphere at Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library, sparking conversations between visitors of all ages and staff.
We commissioned these special artworks to inspire creativity, learning and a sense of fun, and residents have enthusiastically embraced them.
Councillor Melissa Cadwell, Creativity and Culture portfolio chair
The artwork is helping to position our region as a regional cultural centre of innovation and excellence.The new mural and sculpture, which are each intriguing in their own unique way, have positively added to the look and feel of Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library.
These compelling artworks and our state-of-the-art library are enhancing Armstrong Creek's cultural identity.
