Inside the subterranean car park a spectrum of colors radiate from a metal drainage cover while splices of green, red, and yellow breathe new life into a space, which, with little inlet of natural light, previously felt dark and heavy. The whole piece is tied together by a winding, ribbon-style device which, acting as a central axis, leads in from the driveway, through the space and out to the garden beyond. The resulting design is a dynamic and surreal mix of overlapping geometric forms more like an exploration of tropical Orphic Cubism than standard car parking facility. Intentionally creating an open-ended artwork, Redman and Maier have left some walls blank—albeit awash with color—with the intention that these spaces could potentially be used for additional, individually commissioned works in the future.
A sophisticated concept with simple execution, the large-scale mural draws on the defining architecture of the car park and adjacent residence and a negation of the traditional rending of car parking structures to create a public artwork that sings. The space is an everyday fantasia, a synesthetic feast where you can almost taste the color. 72DP offers more than parking, it offers a point of connection for users of the space. The mural becomes a talking point, creating connection between those normally separated behind a windscreen. The work forces an interaction with public space and its necessary infrastructure under very different terms, it offers an unexpected encounter, highlights the previously overlooked and creates an immersive and distinctive environment. 72DP certainly offers a new twist on not being able to find your car after a night out.
All copyright belongs to Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University.
