Sydney’s Wynyard train station has undergone a massive transformation, one which many commuters may say takes the phrase ‘topsy-turvy’ to new heights.
Part of a $160 million dollar revamp of the public transport hub, a new ‘Interloop’ art installation now adorns the ceiling above the main concourse.
The brainchild of Australian artist Chris Fox, the five tonne escalator-style sculpture is also rich with history, hanging above the spot its boards use to rest.
Sydney’s Wynyard train station has undergone a massive transformation, one which many commuters may say takes the phrase ‘topsy-turvy’ to new heights
Part of a $160 million dollar revamp of the public transport hub, a new ‘Interloop’ art installation now adorns the ceiling above the main concourse
The artwork was constructed from 244 wooden escalator treads and four escalator combs that were initially built for the station in 1931.
Its design took six months to perfect according to the artist, with a kilometre of welding needed to construct the looped pairs.
In total, the piece measures more than 50 metres in length, with the final accordion-like structure made from high strength aluminium and the original steps that used to reside at the York Street entrance.
‘Connecting yesterday and tomorrow, ‘Interloop’ interrogates the conceptual and material boundaries between art and architecture,’ Mr Fox said.
The five tonne escalator-style sculpture is the brainchild of Australian artist Chris Fox and is rich with history, hanging above the spot its boards use to rest
The entrance it hangs over was officially re-opened back in September, with the new installation unveiled this week.
The old escalators were replaced prior to that, with workers painstakingly dismantling them so they could be used for the design.
As part of the upgrade there will also be a series of LED screens added, which will feature images and videos of the area’s heritage.
Fans of the installation flocked to social media following it’s unveiling, praising it for breathing new life into a part of Sydney’s history.
he artwork was constructed from 244 wooden escalator treads and four escalator combs that were initially built for the station in 1931
The wooden boards were re-purposed for the piece, with the design taking six months to perfect according to the artist
‘I love this re-purposing of the old wooden escalators at Wynyard station. Iconic,’ one person wrote.
While another user in awe of the design added: ‘Sometimes – just sometimes, we do things right in Sydney. #wynyard #magicescalator’
Others kept it simple, writing ‘Old meets new’, ‘That’s awesome!!’ and ‘Just incredible’.
And one person summed it up by labelling it a ‘masterpiece’, writing: ‘Rightly called “Interloop” – connecting yesterday and tomorrow. Futurism meets history’.
The original escalators, featuring the wooden treads, were installed in 1931, with plenty of people loving the upgrade and the ‘old meets new’ sculpture
The station will also receive a series of LED screens, which will feature images and videos of the area’s heritage, as part of its new look