Commissioned in 2001 and installed during 2002 Silence has a size of 18 x 23 meters and a height of 4.5 meters, it consists of 13 components and was made from epoxy resin and stainless steel painted off-white.
Silence was installed on the New Quay esplanade, Docklands Precinct Melbourne. The sculpture was commissioned by the MAB Corporation and Michael Buxton was the key person involved from MAB Corporation. Matt Stafford from Australian Art Resources, a South Melbourne art consultancy was the project manager at this time on behalf of the MAB Corporation.
"Brief" requirements were discussed at the launch of the project and all of the sculptors invited were told "don't think about money, just see what you can come up with". Not that anyone thought there was an unlimited amount of money available but I suppose most sculptors concerned were confident that at least $500,000 would be available. It turned out that the successful submission and the consequent completion of the project cost was within budget at $495,000.
This project was intended to be the most important sculptural commission for the New Quay Precinct. At the time of the launch it was difficult to fully appreciate the available space for the installation because most of the buildings were still incomplete. So it was difficult to appreciate the relationships between spaces and the buildings, the size of these spaces changed a number of times in any case and so the only realistic references were the architectural drawings.
Even though there were major challenges and although Studio Mauriks was working virtually blind for some of the time, the project turned out to be one of the most satisfying projects we have been involved with.
It is particularly satisfying for us that the Silence installation seems to have become an iconic piece. In particular for the Docklands Precinct but for Melbourne as well. The sculpture now belongs to the City of Melbourne.
Silence
In the landy
Between mirboo north and boolarra south
Silence came upon me
And brought tears to my soul
In the landscape of the mind
Openness and focus expand
Evermore moving
Fast and furious
Erstwhile still and quiet
What can replicate
This feeling of silence and bliss
Tentatively glimpsed
Tantalising, beckoning
A world whizzing by
In midst
I am
Silent
Silence is the secret and the holy grail
Epiphany the greatest joy
With an undertow of aum
Reverberating
Adrian Mauriks July 2000
Silence
2001-2002
Painted epoxy resin and stainless steel
1250 x 1850 x 450 cm
Commissioned by MAB Corporation for Docklands New Quay Precinct, Melbourne, Australia
