For the second year in a row, OCAD University students enrolled in the course Painting in the Expanded Field were given a unique opportunity to develop a Wallwork design for the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Mississauga-based office.
Evelyn Quach and Karen Joyce Li Ignite, 2018, Masonite, latex paint, led lights on wall
Students were invited to propose an installation for the wall space outside the company's Human Resources offices, while considering the particulars of the site including the physical and social qualities of the office space. They were also asked to consider the cultural and social nature of the space and the surrounding area. On April 16, 2018, the six shortlisted students presented their proposals to the company's Mississauga-based employees. Through a voting system, the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services community selected Ignite a collaborative piece by Evelyn Quach & Karen J. Li, among 13 entries.
Ignite is a wall work that examines the Mercedes-Benz's engines from past and present. Evelyn and Karen saw a relationship between an engine and the financial office community both as a hidden heart of a vehicle and Daimler AG. Taking design elements from the Wankel engine and the current generation OM654 engine, the artists restyled selected parts of the motor into abstract forms. Each of the shapes made of Masonite boards are backlit with LED lights that can be remotely controlled to change colours. Evelyn and Karen used the OCAD U Rapid Prototyping Centre CNC Mill to cut the shapes for their piece Ignite.
The artists are thankful for the advice received from DRPT technician John Deal, and Integrated Media (INTM) technician George Docherty, Tru Chim, William Jiang and Sammy Tsang.
A true advocate of the arts, the generosity of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services has benefited our current students and helped shape the success of our graduates.
The piece will be installed until April 2019.
Image Credit:
Evelyn Quach and Karen Joyce Li
Ignite, 2018, Masonite, latex paint, led lights on wall
1.29 m X 15.17 m
