Students Create a Splash in Queen's Park

A STRIKING sculptural installation has been installed at Queen’s Park in Loughborough to capture the essence of the Olympics.

“Synch or Swim” will be officially opened by the Mayor of Charnood, Cllr Diane Wise, and students who designed the sculptures.

In order to celebrate Loughborough’s role in hosting Team GB in their preparation for the London Olympic Games 2012, the Council’s Green Spaces team asked the sculpture students at Loughborough University’s School of the Arts to create some striking features as focal points for the flower beds in front of the museum.

It will also provide a special feature for the town’s Britain in Bloom entry.

A team of three talented students, Lucy Buzzacott, Mike Jones and Abi Ross, came up with the fun and witty idea of synchronised swimmers, legs emerging as though in a pool of water.

The sculptures represent the grace, artistry and athleticism of the Great Britain synchronized swimming team. Their position in front of Charnwood Museum is particularly appropriate as it recognises the museum’s history as a swimming baths.

Cllr Hilary Fryer said “These students have worked hard on a serious sculptural assignment and given it a clever and humorous twist, in the best traditions of modern art installations.

“They will really liven up the flower beds and will be a talking point for the thousands of visitors who will use the park over the summer.”

The students, with help from senior sculpture technician Pete Beacham, have produced the four pairs of legs in four months in addition to their other work and exams.

Student Lucy said: “It was really hard work but has been a brilliant opportunity to produce work to celebrate such a historic event and which will be enjoyed by so many local people.”

Dawn Hurst, Course Co-ordinator of Fine Arts at Loughborough University, said: “This has been a really exciting and challenging project for the team.  As a high profile public art installation it has given them a valuable learning experience in a range of skills and techniques.”

The elegant and striking sculptural installation, called “Synch or Swim”, will be officially opened at 1pm on June 21.

The sculptures, which are over two metres tall, are made of Jesmonite, an advanced form of acrylic resin and are finished with masonry paint.

The Mayor of Charnwood will present each student with an award and Certificates of Achievement.