‘Giant Clock Bench’, 2010
American walnut, interactive lighting
60cm x 120cm x 330cm
‘Hostess Trolley’, 2010
Painted Ply Wood
Dimensions Variable approx 200cm x 120cm x 60cm
‘Studio Signage’, 2010
American walnut, corian and interactive lighting
50cm x 20cm x 500cm
‘Rhomboid Floor’, 2010
American Walnut
8 m x 12 m
To celebrate an extensive refurbishment of the iconic Crucible Theatre (Home of World Snooker), ACE with Sheffield Theatres Trust and BFF Architects commissioned Sarah Staton to create a number of integral, functional, incidents of magnificent sculptural furniture to animate empty or darker moments within the theatres generous interior public spaces. The sculptural furniture and asymmetric floor design are created in dialogue and as homage to the original bold and graphic detailing of the building.
Designed by RHWL & Associates, in close association with designers Tyrone Guthrie, and Tanya Moiseiwitsch, The Crucible Theatre opened in 1971. The theatre's design is notable for its elegant capacity to readily accommodate the flow of a full house as they pass from box office to lobby to the interior thrust stage, one of just two such progressive designs within this country.
The Crucible Theatre is one of a group of theatres which are considered to be the most influential and architecturally distinguished examples of their generation. It displays a number of innovative features of architectural interest; for example, the design of the thrust stage; the profile of the building and the relationship it has with the landscape as well as the exceptional use of concrete blockwork, both on the interior and exterior.
The Crucible is the main producing venue in the Sheffield Theatres complex, comprising a 400-seat studio theatre (for drama and music) as well as the main 980-seat auditorium. It also hosts the annual World Snooker Championships.
Giant Clock Bench for the Lobby makes a perch space and a meeting place for visitors. Embedded behind coloured glass panels are leds that glow softly like a sleeping Mac Book, hitting a crescendo of activity on the hour every hour. A clock bench that celebrates slow time.
During the lull of the first act, a series of Giant Hostess Trolleys are wheeled into the lobby providing spaces for pre bought interval drinks to be poured. These silent actors are named after Shakespearean actresses as is appropriate for the context.
Commission value 125k