Standing at a height of four storeys, Out of Mind, the contemporary artwork on display in UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, is certainly not out of sight.
The Fiona Hall creation has been a permanent fixture at QBI since its new premises were completed in November 2007 and will be officially launched by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield on Wednesday, October 1.
QBI Director, Professor Perry Bartlett, said it was a tremendous privilege to house this outstanding work by one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists.
“Fortunately for us Fiona was intensely interested in the structure and function of brains of all creatures from insects to humans so she enthusiastically undertook the project,” Professor Bartlett said
“She has formed strong interactions with many of the scientists at QBI and is currently an artist-in-residence working on a new piece exploring the brains of small insects and non-mammals.
“Everyone who visits the Institute is delighted by the work and the intellectual rigour she brings to the artform.”
The digital graphic design, incorporated into an internal glass wall, can be viewed from the entry foyer to level six.
The central form is composed of a multi-faceted Drosophila (fruit fly) eye containing an MRI scan of the human brain in each of its myriad “windows”.
Director of the UQ Art Museum, Nick Mitzevich, said UQ was committed to developing a strong cultural presence on campus.
“This project is a positive statement about the value of partnerships between science and art in nurturing awareness and appreciation,” Mr Mitzevich said.
In addition to the official launch, there will be an “In Conversation” session with the artist on Friday, October 3.
Talking to Ms Hall about the integration between art and architecture will be Ms Louise Dauth, Government Curator of Art+Place at Arts Queensland, and Mr Ted Chen who currently works with Wilson Architects and assisted with digitally producing the image on the atrium glass wall.
“It will be a Michael Parkinson-type interview,” said QBI Manager (Projects and Executive Support) Alison Van Niekerk.
“Louise Dauth will be chairing it and will start the conversation - she is very familiar with Fiona Hall's work.
“There will be a key architectural aspect to the conversation which is where Ted Chen comes in - he worked very closely with Fiona Hall on this piece of artwork.”
Established in 2003, QBI is dedicated to understanding the molecular basis of brain function and applying this knowledge to the development of new therapeutics to treat brain and mental health disorders.
QBI was formed as part of the Queensland Government's Smart State Initiative with support from the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Out of Mind is expected to stay there indefinitely.
Media: Helen Weir (3346 6404, h.weir@uq.edu.au), Alison Van Niekerk (3346 6403, a.vanniekerk@uq.edu.au) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
