THE ARC
Meet The Arc: Wokingham’s newest landmark
The Arc is going to change the landscape of Wokingham Borough.
Newcastle has the Angel of the North. Falkirk has The Kelpies. Ilfracombe has Verity. Wokingham will have The Arc.
It will create a unique skyline nestled in the heart of the new Carnival Hub development, the crown jewel of Wokingham’s regeneration project.
Metal archways will soar over the Hub, their undulations spreading into the space and meeting at different points to form a pathway guiding people in and out of the building. The Arc’s playful form will swirl organically overhead, rising from the ground and appearing different from all angles. Stainless steel from recycled sources will be used. Its reflective nature being both contemporary and classic will powerfully engage the senses.
Punctuating this incredible structural form will be the words and phrases of an abstract poem cut out of the metal itself. Engaging both mind and senses, these words will be projected via silhouettes, shadows, and light refractions during the day, and will be further enhanced by lighting at night, enabling this sculpture to expand dynamically into the surrounding space.
The spirit of Wokingham Borough will be captured by Nicola in this poem. She has invited community contributions through workshops, where she recorded the thoughts and reactions of the rich variety of people of our Borough to their lives here in Wokingham. Themed around ‘experiencing each moment’, this poem will emphasise wellbeing and the discovery of moments of joy.
To make this sculptural poem accessible to everyone, the words will also be available in braille on the sculpture itself.
Please support us today to make this vision a reality, and help us in our mission to give people access to experience the benefits of arts and culture as well as tell the stories of this community.
Nicola Anthony Studios
Following a rigorous application process, where 60 distinguished and internationally-acclaimed artists expressed an interest in securing this major commission, we were thrilled to finally offer our inaugural project to Nicola Anthony’s The Arc.
You can read more about the artist here:
“Through guided observational sessions, I have begun to gather words, sentences, and sentiments from the people of Wokingham. This is then edited into an abstract poem, which will form the words in the sculpture. This collaborative process will source meaningful phrases for the finished sculpture which represent Wokingham’s dynamic culture and future, aiming to showcase diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It will provoke a poetic curiosity in newcomers, and connect deeply with those who know Wokingham Borough.”