2003-2013 Public Art Bus Stop Installation
In 2002/3, Council worked with Arts SA and the Passenger Transport Board to develop a plan for the provision of public art associated with Bus Stops on Sir Donald Bradman Drive between the Hilton Bridges and Adelaide Airport.
Sir Donald Bradman Drive is recognized as the major air and rail terminal entry to, and exit from, Adelaide and South Australia. It is a significant arterial road from the west into the city and is used by 32,000 commuters and commercial vehicles daily. It is also the main feeder road, to and from, the communities located to the west of the City of Adelaide.
Arts SA called tenders for the project in August 2002 and The Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design Inc. was the successful tenderer.
The artists brief included the following conceptual considerations:
- Consider the Western Gateway Project - Significant Gateway Element concept and design, Lie of the Land, and complement this work, creating a strong sense of arrival, and departure through the roadway corridor.
- Lie of the Land responds to the Centenary of Federation Themes, particularly the themes of reconciliation, inclusivity and diversity. The broad concept for this work- should consider the Centenary themes noting that the themes of the environment, communications and access are particularly relevant to the roles and objectives of the commissioning agencies.
- Respond to the local environment and be consistent with the West Torrens Council’s approach to urban design.
The proposal by The Jam Factory was to construct 5 benches, 3 leaning poles and 2 shelters at selected bus stops between Airport Road and the Hilton Bridges. Incorporated within the structure and design of each of these units was a single component, the ‘Site Marker’ that acted as a storyboard for each location. In defining the ‘story’ representatives of the Jam Factory contacted Maybelle Marles OAM of the West Torrens Historical Society.
The basis for the storyboard lies in the progression of materials commencing with a modern industrial aesthetic near the Adelaide International airport, moving towards natural elements when travelling into the city. This material shift represents an interpretation of the changes that have occurred in the area since the time of European settlement in Adelaide. Each site marker has been designed using themes referencing important events and changes that have been influential in shaping the local environment, as it exists today.
The art was installed in 2003 and provided with a contract to the City of West Torrens for maintenance and cleaning with a release date 10 years from the completion date.
Proposed art installations City to Airport (south)
Stop 5B
Type of Seating: Bench
Theme: Peppers Bus
Material used for site marker: Granite
Story: Pepper's bus was a unique and prominent feature of the district. Mr William Pepper was the owner and driver of the horse drawn public bus in the early 1900s and this service played an important role in the community. A detailed image of the horse drawn bus will be etched into the stone. This is a tribute befitting the important role that this service played in the development of a community in the stage of its infancy.
Plaque: Pepper's bus was a unique and prominent feature of the district. Mr Pepper was the owner and driver of the horse drawn public bus in the early 1900s and this service played an important role in the development of this community.
Stop 6
Type of seating: Leaning Pole
Theme: Farming
Material used for site marker: Solid River Red Gum posts / Stainless steel wire
Story: By 1840 due to the popularity of the region, settlement commenced primarily for agricultural purposes. The farmers of the district often used River Red Gum, an indigenous species to South Australia, for fence posts. The side of the marker facing the on-coming traffic wiII consist of weathered River Red Gum posts with wire detailing to reference fencing. From this side of the marker to the other, there is a gradual shift from weathered timber to a smooth surface.
Plaque: Prior to the suburban sprawl you see before you, this land was farmed to provide food necessary for the growth and development of the colony.
Stop 6A
Type of seating: Bench
Theme: Flooding
Material used for site marker: Concrete / Sand / Cast Glass
Story: The original landscape of this area consisted of reed beds and sand hills. This region flooded frequently which played havoc with the early residents of West Torrens. The environment underwent a major physical change once water management was introduced to the area. A reed design cast within glass bricks refers to the water and reeds that once existed in the original landscape. These will be embedded in sand coloured concrete with subtle colour variants referencing layers of sediment.
Plaque: If you were standing on this spot before European settlement, you would be enjoying a natural landscape of swampy flood plains with reed beds and sandhills. The first residents of the West Torrens district often struggled with frequent flooding until water management was implemented.
Stop 6B
Type of seating: Shelter
Theme: William and Janet Burbridge
Material used for site marker: Lyten Steel / Concrete
Story: In addition to being pound keepers for the district, Jane and William Burbridge also maintained the condition of the roads in the area and saw to other general maintenance tasks. In respect for the original tenders of the gateway to the city it was agreed that a site marker should be dedicated to the couple whose name once befitted the road. A pound keeper's duty was to collect stray animals and place them in a pound for safe keeping until their rightful owner could collect them. The marker will depict an image of a fence with hoof prints of horses that would have escaped from an open gate. The metal plate will be laser cut with concrete coming through to show the image.
(Proposed) Plaque: In addition to being a pound keeper for the district, Janet and William Burbridge also maintained the condition of the roads in the area and saw to other general maintenance tasks. A pound keepers’ duty was to collect stray animals and place them in a pound for safe keeping until their rightful owner could collect them.
Stop 7
Type of seating: Bench
Theme: Suburban Shift
Material used for site marker: Galvanised Steel /Concrete / Lyten
Story: After World War II, an influx of migrants to the area dramatically increased the population, transforming the rural environment into a suburban landscape. Galvanised steel, Lyten and concrete will be employed to reference icons of suburban scenes such as, brickwork and prominent features unique to the local environment. ’Stobie’ poles are also a significant feature to South Australia and to the area and will be depicted on the shoulder of the site marker.
Plaque: After the Second World War, this area was subdivided from rural lots into suburban quarter acre blocks. This was to create new living spaces to cater for a dramatic increase in population growth due to the baby boom and migration.
Stop 8
Type of seating: Leaning Pole
Theme: Vickers Vimy
Material used for site marker: Stainless Steel / Rivets
Story: In 1919, the Smith brothers together with Bennett and Shiers (a local West Torrensian) were the first to fly from England to Australia in their Vickers Vimy aircraft. This achievement attracted a ten thousand pound prize awarded by the Australian Government. Stainless steel with rivet detailing has been utilised to reference a modem aviation theme with acid etching of a partial image of the Vickers Vimy. The image consists of the letters that appeared on the plane "GEAOU". These letters were affectionately attributed with the words ’God ’Elp All Of Us’ these words emphasise the dangers and treacherous nature of the journey as well as the brave camaraderie of the crew.
Plaque: Air Mechanic 1st Class Wally Shiers (later Flight Engineer) from West Torrens, was a crew member of the first aeroplane to fly from England to Australia 1919. The letters "GEAOU" that appeared on the Vickers Vimy aircraft were affectionately attributed with the words ’God ’Elp All Of Us’. These words emphasise the treacherous nature of their journey.
Proposed art installations Airport to City (north)
Stop 6B
Type of seating: Shelter
Theme: Bicycles
Material used for site marker: Lyten Steel / Concrete
Story: For many during the 1930s transport meant public conveyances such as trams and buses. Bicycles were also very popular at this time and have been depicted on the site marker. The bike is a 1920s Men’s Roadster and was manufactured in South Australia by Bullock cycles. It is typical of the utility models of the 1920s and 1930s. The bicycle image will be laser cut from the Lyten steel with the concrete filling the recesses.
Plaque: The bicycle that you see on this shelter is a men's 1920s roadster. It was manufactured in Adelaide by Bullocks Cycles and is typical of the style of bike used in this era. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, bicycles, buses and trams were the most popular modes of transport.
Stop 6A
Type of seating: Leaning Pole
Theme: Reedbeds Cavalry
Material used for site marker: Concrete / Brass
Story: In response to concerns of defending the Colony of South Australia, a mounted corps was raised in 1860 named the Reedbed Mounted Volunteers or the Reedbed Cavalry. The initial thirty-one member volunteers were required to pay two shillings and sixpence and supply their own uniform to enter the cavalry. This marker will be constructed from dark coloured concrete with brass inlays to reference the detail of the uniform worn by the volunteers. The front face of the site marker will depict the initial enrolment form of the mounted Volunteers Corporation with calligraphic hand written script indicating the members and their payment.
Plaque: In response to concerns of defending the infant Colony of South Australia, a mounted corps was raised in 1860 named the Reedbed Mounted Volunteers or the Reedbed Cavalry. In addition to paying an amount of two shillings and sixpence, the initial thirty-one member volunteers were also required to supply their own uniform to enter the cavalry.
Stop 6
Type of seating: Bench
Theme: Footprints
Material used for site marker: Blue Stone
Story: Imagery of footprints and indigenous flora etched into bluestone reference the original inhabitants. By etching into the stone, a fossil-like imprint is created imbuing the site with a significant awareness of age and timelessness. The subtle markings on the stone also reflect a quiet unobtrusive way of moving through the land in comparison to modern methods of transportation. Bluestone is used to relate the site marker to the Lie of the Land installation in the West Parklands. This installation was damaged and replaced with a standard DDA compliant shelter.
Stop 5C
Type of seating: Bench
Theme: Trams
Material used for site marker: Red Gum / Brass
Story: The introduction of trams increased mobility for those who lived and worked in Adelaide and generated a great deal of residential development. There was a tram stop near the corner of Brooker Terrace and Sir Donald Bradman Drive. The site marker is made of Jarrah and inlayed with brass. The positioning and shape of the brass inlay is an interpretation of tram track sleepers. The brass plates will be etched with images of details of the original trams.
Plaque: The tramway played a vital role in promoting the growth of residential development in this area. There was once a tram stop situated on the corner of Sir Donald Bradman Drive and Brooker Terrace.
Proposed Plaque
This project has been developed by the former Department of Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts, in partnership with the City of West Torrens. The Western Gateway Project is a government contribution to The Centenary of Federation celebrations in 2001.
Commissioning Party 1: Arts South Australia
Commissioning Party 2: City of West Torrens
The Artist: JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design Centre
Launched on this day 22nd May, 2003 by the Honorable Premier of South Australia, Mr Mike Rann.