Year-long project at Western University

Our colleagues from Dietrich Steel sent this article published last September in the local newspaper. A $1,000 donation was made from the AGF Group Foundation for this project. 
 

Arts and engineering students aren’t typically known for collaborating. But a Western University initiative brought the two faculties — one known for right-brain thinkers, the other for left-brain thinkers — together to give a boost to eco-friendly transportation and public art at the same time.

Nearly one year in the making, the Western Bike Rack Project challenged students to create a bike rack that’s visually appealing and functional.

Ten groups, each working with a $600 budget, submitted their designs to a panel of judges who selected the top three entries to be placed throughout Western’s sprawling campus.

“Western asked the users of the space to generate designs that they want to use,” said visual arts professor Kelly Jazvac, one of the organizers of the project.

“So these students use their bikes and they were thinking about themselves as participants in Western’s community.”

Judges named Mackenzie Ludlow and Tara Singh’s Form and Space — a red, green and white rack featuring large loops — as the best designed.

Ludlow, a second-year visual arts student, says he wanted to create something colourful to contrast “the harsh greys” of Western’s buildings.

“What I set out wanting to do was introduce more organic forms and colour, just something that would stick out and pop and catch someone’s eye in that kind of setting,” said Ludlow, 20, who regularly rides his bicycle to school.
Though colourful and creative, the winning designs are still practical, Jazvac said.

With hundreds of students and faculty riding a bike to class, finding a spot to lock up your bike at Western can be as difficult as finding a parking spot on campus.

“We didn’t want to put a bunch of non-useful bike racks on campus,” Jazvac said.

A reception showcasing the top designs was held. at McIntosh Gallery.