Extended Cloister

Client: Torbay Council

Artist: OSA

In July 2010, as part of the Torbay Connected project curated by Ginkgo, artist/architect group OSA created a unique installation for Torre Abbey Meadows, Torquay build a direct connection between the seafront and Torre Abbey’s history. Crossing barriers, altering perceptions of the landscape, and challenging conventional routes ‘Extended Cloister’  provided  a new temporary route to Torre Abbey from the seafront, legitimising the natural route through a ‘white carpet’. 

Torre Abbey suffers from a lack of visiability for visitors; this project challenged existing access perceptions and the understanding of public/private space. The history of the Abbey was brought alive through a sound installation and White-clad ‘guides’ encouraged visitors to each contribute to the work by writing or drawing aspirations about the landscape.

The project forms part of Torbay Connected which is a cross cutting project, sponsored by Torbay Council, that aims to promote and develop a system of natural legibility and place enhancement through promoting the role of creativity and culture within the main routes and developments in the Bay.

Torbay Connected connects people with places and spaces in the Bay so as to provide a series of rich cultural experiences that will link destinations and encourage people to explore and move from one place to another. Ginkgo Projects is working for Torbay Council to develop and deliver Torbay Connected.

OSA is a network of eight architects in five different cities and there countries. OSA is actively involved in developing projects that work between art and architecture. The work is focused on the reinterpretation of public space, on its use and how people interact with it. OSA’s projects help start discussions about our use of our public spaces and potential improvements to its use.

Please view at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J31SdtgV0