L Blocks – University of Waikato Art Collection

L Blocks
University of Waikato Art Collection

Commissioned as part of the University of Waikato 50 Year Anniversary celebrations, L Blocks is a site-specific intervention which aims to contribute to a place of welcome, repose and belonging.

Six sculptural L-shaped timber elements, representing the Roman numeral 50, are sleek, crafted objects, each of which act as marks located on a grid – a virtual continuation of the existing pavers – anchoring the site to the wider context. The vertical nature of the forms represent Karipukau, the kahikatea/tawa forest block which formed the ridge many years ago, and speak also to the built environment, with the gridded facades of the adjacent library commons reflected as subtle linear carvings within each vertical element.

Students are encouraged to linger and inhabit the space, with a specimen tree providing colour, shade, and an organic element to the ensemble, a reference to the historic fruit trees in the locality. The poetic text carved into the timber and continued in the vinyl lettering speaks metaphorically of nearby features, existing or historical, to create an awareness of the spirit of place.