Of all the modern public art work that has appeared in Sydney over the past few years this one, ‘Tied to Tide’, and ‘In Between Two Worlds’ in Chinatown are my favourites.
‘Tied to Tide’, located along the waterfront boardwalk in Pyrmont Point Park, has a sort of hypnotic effect on me. I can admire it for ages as the beams and ladders move through the natural forces of the tide, waves and the wind, performing what is an aquatic dance on the harbourside. This constant state of change is what particularly appeals to me.
The recycled hardwood beams are connected to the water by floats in such a way that high tides lower the beams while low tides raise them. In choppy waters, such as that caused by the wash of passing boats, the beams move with some vigour while in calm waters they barely move.
Attached to the top of the beams, vibrant orange-red ladders sway in gentle breezes while a gust of wind will spin them through 360 degrees.
The work was created by Jennifer Turpin & Michaelie Crawford and installed in 1999. Another of Turpin and Crawford’s creations, Halo, can be seen at Chippendale Green near Central Station.
More generally, this little park, a short walk from Darling Harbour, is one my favourite spots in Sydney for a sunset stroll. At this time of day the panoramic views from Anzac Bridge to the Harbour Bridge and the water in the harbour take on a gorgeous orange glow that’s not to be missed.
Address: Pyrmont Point Park, 22-24 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
This is my last SYDNEY – CITY – PYRMONT review.
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