Murmuration is a commissioned artwork by glass artist Harriet Schwarzrock. The artwork is a part of the fit out project by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn (DJAS). DJAS worked closely with artist Schwarzrock, Canberra Glassworks and a team of specialist consultants to deliver the artwork. The conceptual framework is based on exploration of opportunity to display and foster culture, values, influences and a sense of belonging through placemaking.

Glass artist Schwarzrock responded with the concept of suspended sculptural work made up of circa 900 blown glass forms. The glass forms, which have been created from a tinted cobalt glass, are organised in a sweeping three-dimensional spiral, suspended with thin stainless-steel wire to represent Murmuration. Murmuration, references the natural spectacle when up to tens of thousands of birds come together. Incredible shapes form in the sky as one flock merges into another, swirling in ever more complex and beautiful patterns.

The individual forms are hand sized, organic blown glass forms that are partly sandblasted to enhance the representation of Murmuration while minimising the ongoing cleaning and maintenance. The suspension system has been carefully considered to provide optimum viewing from multiple vantage points. It sits in the background discreetly while supporting the seemingly large approximately eight metre length by 2.2 metre height artwork.

Murmuration is installed at the prominent Entry Foyer space of a building that accommodates more than 2000 employees and several visitors. The space is used for conducting presentations and is accessible to the general public. The use of art in the space helps create a human, scale-giving and emotive place providing opportunities for the public to interact and connect with art beyond art galleries or museums.

The installation provides a local narrative and focal point involving building owners, patrons to be actively involved in promoting art in architecture.

Photography: Adam McGrath (Image 1-2), Ross Caddaye (Image 3-4).