Famed local photographer selected for his ability to capture the natural world
Halifax, Nova Scotia – July 17, 2018 – The Armour Group Limited (The Armour Group) has selected celebrated national photographer, Thaddeus Holownia, to create an original work of art to be integrated into the Queen’s Marque façade.
Holownia was engaged due to his evocative body of art which reflects the environment and the interaction between natural and unnatural elements through time; themes which inspired the shapes and design of Queen’s Marque.
"Thaddeus’ photographic artwork is the natural choice for this monumental, contemporary ‘shroud’ at the foot of George Street," said Brian MacKay-Lyons, Partner, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Limited. "The piece will introduce the public to the waterfront and express the developer’s ambition for the public life of our city."
After exploring the ethos and idea behind Queen’s Marque, Holownia selected an aquatic theme as his subject for the piece.
"Water represents itself in the minutia; a drop in its state is as large as an entire ocean, all at once," said Thaddeus Holownia, Photographer.
The original photograph will be translated into an abstraction and embedded into the perforated metal panels applied as an overlay on the Queen’s Marque’s façade. The result will be an abstract mural depicted through shadow and colour within the copper-infused metal. A series of images from this commission will also be displayed throughout the Queen’s Marque district, creating a cultural tableau that speaks to the power of place.
"The reason aquatic images are so profound is the macro of water is like looking at the whole ocean. There is an infinity to it. Whether looking at the ocean from an airplane, or staring at a puddle in the wind, the effects of water are common. By bringing the image to ground level and at a human scale, we are subconsciously asking someone to be sensitive to something that is so common," commented Holownia.
This is the first of several commissions of original works planned for the Queen’s Marque district to be created by many different artists representing varying genres. The intent of developing and integrating works of art at Queen’s Marque is to cultivate a layered and meaningful city centre.
Photo credit Denis Duquette