CORRUGATED COURTYARD FOR THE INSTITUTE OF MODERN ART

Benzini was commissioned by the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) and artist Céline Condorelli to build a sculpture garden for the Berwick Street courtyard. The impressive new structure, called Corps à Corps, provides plenty of shade for visitors and allows them to sit among native and naturalised plants.

The shade structure was inspired by the roofs of classic Queenslander houses. It features brightly coloured corrugated material that stands out in the urban environment. The central seating area is hollowed out, corrugated concrete. It is 2400mm in diameter and weighs three tonnes, with a matching planter ring holding local forest and coastal plants. Flowering climbing plants on the shade structure’s interior create a lush, natural chandelier overhead.

The garden is an exhibition of its own, with the shade structure and the microclimate created by the plants mimicking the gallery’s controlled climate indoors. The use of plants creates a community of flora, fostering a sense of belonging in Brisbane.

Conderelli is a London-based artist and Corps à Corps is part of her first Australian solo exhibition by the same name. Benzini worked alongside her Brisbane-based collaborators, architect Dirk Yates and landscape designer Pete Shields to bring her art piece to life.

The new artwork was co-commission by the IMA and the 11th Gwangju Biennale, with the support of the Keir Foundation and the Australian Government, Department of Communications and the Arts through Catalyst. It was launched in October 2017 and will remain at the IMA for three years.

Read more about the project here.