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Design

Optical Art Patterns Bring a New London Landmark to Life

Conrad Shawcross' 'The Optic Cloak' applies Vorticism and moiré patterns to coat an industrial chimney.

From the back with sun behind it. Still full of internal scaffolding though #theopticcloak #greenwich #structureworkshop #futurecity #holes

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Aug 30, 2016 at 3:24pm PDT

Cubism, Op art, and dazzle camouflage are the inspirations behind a new architectural intervention which will be unveiled in London later this month. Artist Conrad Shawcross' The Optic Cloak is his design solution for a 160' high chimney flue which is part of the low carbon Greenwich Peninsula Energy Centre.

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Because of the flue stack's size, which was originally going to be encased in a black steel box, it's impact on the landscape would have been quite prominent. Shawcross, along with engineers at Structure Workshop Ltd and C. F. Møller Architects, came up with the idea to coat it in a lighter-looking frame to make it appear more beguiling.

To do this, Shawcross looked at ways of breaking up the surface, taking inspiration from Cubism, along with artists like David Bomberg and the Vorticists. From these the artist came up with the idea to perforate the panels that would coat the flue stack, creating an optic construction rife with the moiré effect, a visual mathematical phenomenon where lines or dots superimposed onto another set of lines or dots, set at different angles, create a trick of perception. This gave the structure a translucent skin where sunlight could pass through, resulting in a paradoxical effect of both camouflage against the horizon and intrigue for people passing by.

Artistic study of the optic cloak for Greenwich peninsula. #theopticcloak #greenwichpeninsula #futurecity

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Mar 10, 2016 at 1:21pm PST

To create the moiré effect, which is created through perspective and a single viewing point, the triangulated panels on the flue—made from anodized aluminium—were given an identical pattern. The dapples and apparitions and hole sizes are all the same, but then placed at different angles to create the optical pattern.

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"I wanted to create a response that celebrates the commission’s function as part of the Energy Centre’s flue, rather than trying to hide it," explains Shawcross. "I started to research the history of camouflage as I was intrigued by its seemingly paradoxical nature—often it makes the object or animal it’s disguising more visually arresting. I was particularly interested in a type of Maritime Camouflage called ‘Dazzle Camo’ which was used on ships during the First World War, as well as in Cubism and Op art. The idea is to break up the surface of the object, creating false perspectives and vanishing points."

The Optic Cloak by British artist Conrad Shawcross is a beautiful addition to Greenwich Peninsular and if you frame it right it looks like it's joined to Canary Wharf. When finished, it will cover the power plant chimney from the new Low Carbon Energy Centre and we can't wait to see it completed in all it's glory! #theopticcloak#conradshawcross#art#artist#installationart#urbanart#lowcarbonenergy#greenwich#canarywharf#architecture#architecturephotography#archilovers#skyhighphotography#london#tourist#londonthroughmycam#vscocam#igdailey#culturetrip#justgoshoot#passionpassport#guardiancities#mycanon#maybeldner

A photo posted by Greenwich, London (@greenwich_uk) on

Aug 4, 2016 at 12:59pm PDT

"I thought it was important to give the commission a dynamic quality," he says. "For those passing, it will evolve radically as you pan by and under it. Another key issue I have remained very conscious of, and have used as a driver for the idea, is the fact that this is a low carbon Energy Centre for the Peninsula and so the lightness and efficiency of the structure and form has been at the core of my thinking and the development of the design."

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Scaffolding is out ! Flies start to go in next week ! This station will heat up to 15000 homes with low carbon energy . #theopticcloak #greenwich #greenwichpeninsula #futurecity #structureworkshop

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Sep 6, 2016 at 5:28am PDT

The setting sun bouncing off the shields on the Blackwall tunnel approach #theopticcloak #rushhour #greenwich #structureworkshop #futurecity

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Aug 30, 2016 at 2:38pm PDT

The optic cloak at sunset #theopticcloak #sunset #rushhour

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Aug 30, 2016 at 2:19pm PDT

Two perforated panels for the optic cloak #theopticcloak #greenwich #holes

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Jul 14, 2016 at 12:20am PDT

The tower from the west on a12 . #theopticcloak #pelhamcommunications #hole #cloak #greenwichpeninsula

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Jul 13, 2016 at 6:41am PDT

The optic cloak will be finished in septemberv #theopticcloak #optic #greenwichpeninsula #pelhamcommunications #hole

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Jul 13, 2016 at 6:17am PDT

The tower from the west on a12 . #theopticcloak #pelhamcommunications #hole #cloak #greenwichpeninsula

A photo posted by Conrad shawcross (@conradshawcross) on

Jul 13, 2016 at 6:41am PDT

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Conrad Shawcross' The Optic Cloak will be officially launched on September 21, 2016. You can find out more about the artist here.

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