Some weeks ago, Zoe Bradley Design studio was asked to design and create a paper sculpture for Team GB's hospitality venue in Rio de Janerio for the Olympic Games. Known as British House, the venue is to provide a relaxed sanctuary for Team GB and their VIP guest's away from the sporting venue's.
The exterior of British House. Home to Team GB during the Rio Olympics in Parque Lage.
It's not the sort of commission you get everyday, while at least not for every four years. Bradley set to work on designing a show stopping large floral chandelier to celebrate Team GB's new home in Rio. It was certainly a challenge! The studio had to cut and curl hundreds of flowers with less than 4 weeks until the structure had to be shipped from London to Rio.
The entrance to British House in Parque Lage situated opposite the iconic Christ the Redeemer.
‘I wanted to create a piece that celebrated the rich tropical colours that are synonymous with Brazil, and capture the exotic nature of the host country’s flowers.’ comments Bradley.
The design studio was poised to create something quite special. It required Bradley's renowned paper sculpting skills to produce a floral chandelier on an Olympic scale.
Artistic rendering of how the paper floral chandler will appear.
‘I wanted the floral chandelier to engulf the space and draw you into the building, which can be viewed from many angles. I want the athletes and guests to be inspired and uplifted as they walk through the entrance.’ says Bradley
Hundreds of paper flower garlands waiting to be hand curled.
The result was a dense cascading paper floral chandelier that will take pride of place in the entrance to the impressive Parque Lage building. Inspired by Rio's native Bougainvillea plant, the design has been created from over 2500 hand curled flowers in fuchsia pink, burnt orange, deep violet, lilac, and, of course, gold to symbolise the ultimate achievement. Hundreds of florals cascade down from three separate circular rings inside one another. The piece measures 2.5 metres in diameter and 2.8 metres in hanging length.
The final Zoe Bradley Paper Chandelier ready to be raised up
Zoe Bradley's work is aimed at bringing awareness to cultural events, and she believes that art can enhance environments in which we work and live. Bradley recognises 'This is a great opportunity to take a contemporary art installation outside the usual gallery walls. Hanging the chandelier at the entrance to Team GB British House I hope, will provide a warm and uplifting welcome to the athletes and invited guest's over the coming weeks.'