Marc Quinn: Light into Life
Kew Botanical Gardens, London, 2024
Courtesy of Marc Quinn
Courtesy of Atelier One
About the project
"Marc Quinn: Light into Life" is an art exhibition held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, showcasing the work of the British artist Marc Quinn. Known for his thought-provoking and often controversial pieces, Quinn's work at Kew focuses on the themes of nature, life, and the human condition.
Atelier One provided structural engineering support for the new sculptures commissioned for this exhibition, including a series of magnified palms, orchids and medicinal plants.
Courtesy of Atelier One
The process
Our aim when engineering for sculpture and art installations is to preserve the artists vision by creating a structural support system that does not alter the artwork’s form. Structural systems must therefore remain internal and invisible or derive their strength from the natural shape of the artwork.
In Kew gardens, we were fortunate that the sculptures were directly inspired by real plant specimens. Plants have evolved their structures over years, reinforcing where necessary and conserving material where strength is not necessary. In the words of director Neil Thomas MBE: “Nature doesn’t waste material”. Therefore, when engineering these forms, we were able to look to the existing, living plant specimens and draw upon how they support loads.
Courtesy of Atelier One
The outcome
A series of stainless steel and bronze sculptures, with a mirror finish. Based on plant specimens.
Medicinal Plants x5
- 5 sculptures based on silhouettes of species that have had significant impacts on the field of medicine, such as the Opium poppy. These statues appear almost 2 dimensional.
- The structure for these sculptures is two sheets of stainless steel attached on either side of a thin ‘skeleton’ of steelwork.
- The sculptures are fixed into a base frame, which is buried to give the impression that the plants have sprung up out of the ground. The weight of the soil on the base frame provides the necessary weight to keep the sculptures upright.
Palms x3
- The palms are a series of three sculptures of palm leaves, the largest of which reaching a height of 5m.
- The leaves are made from thin plates which fold into a V shape where they connect at the centre. The V-shape leaf is much stronger than a flat leaf, and this is a great example of how plants in nature adapt to become stronger using the minimum amount of material possible. The key balance to find in this sculpture was not to over-design these leaves which would have compromised the aesthetic of the sculpture, but to instead, use the plants inherent strengthening systems.
- The palms are supported between the stem and front petals.
Orchids x2
- The orchids are hollow sculptures formed from stainless steel/bronze plate.
- Within the hollow outer frame, there are metal stiffener plates installed where necessary.
Although Kew Gardens is a relatively sheltered area with low wind speeds, there is a chance the exhibition may travel, meaning that we had to account for a variety of climatic conditions when engineering the forms. The result: A series of sculptures built to withstand more extreme weather conditions that explore the intersection of art and science whilst highlighting the juxtaposed intricate beauty and fragility of natural life.
Courtesy of Atelier One
Courtesy of Atelier One
Courtesy of Marc Quinn and Kew Gardens
Credits
Structural Engineer: Atelier One
Client: Marc Quinn Studio
Fabricator: Sino Sculpture
Photographs: Courtesy of Marc Quinn and Atelier One
Press
Marc Quinn's Light into Life exhibition opens at Kew Gardens | New Scientist