Vault (sculpture) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vault |
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Vault at Southbank, pictured in 2005.
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| Artist | Ron Robertson-Swann |
| Year | 1978 |
| Type | abstract, minimalist |
| Medium | prefabricated steel |
| Location | Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Southbank, Victoria, Australia |
| 37°49′33.87″S 144°58′3.82″E / 37.8260750°S 144.9677278°E | |
Vault is a famous public sculpture in Melbourne, Australia. Many people also know it by its popular nickname, The Yellow Peril. This artwork was created by the sculptor Ron Robertson-Swann.
Vault is an abstract and minimalist sculpture. This means it doesn't show a real object or person, but instead uses shapes and forms to create feelings or ideas. It is made from large, thick, flat pieces of steel put together in a way that looks like it's moving. The entire sculpture is painted bright yellow.
Today, you can find Vault outside the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. It is a very important part of Melbourne's public art collection and has a big place in the city's history.
Contents
A Sculpture with a Story
Vault has had a long and interesting journey, full of disagreements and changes. Its story began in May 1978 when the Melbourne City Council held a competition. Ron Robertson-Swann's design won, and the council decided to have the sculpture built for the new Melbourne City Square.
Early Criticisms
Even before Vault was built, some people didn't like it. Certain media groups and parts of the city council thought its modern style didn't fit well with the City Square. They also felt that the cost of $70,000 was too much money for the artwork.
How It Got Its Names
For over two years, the sculpture didn't have an official name. During this time, it picked up several nicknames:
- Ron Robertson-Swann, the artist, called it The Thing.
- The steelworkers who built it nicknamed it Steelhenge.
- Newspapers gave it the less friendly name The Yellow Peril. This name has stuck with the sculpture ever since.
Finally, in September 1980, Robertson-Swann officially named the sculpture Vault.
Moving Around Melbourne
Vault was first put up in the City Square in May 1980. However, it didn't stay there for long. In December of that same year, the sculpture was taken down. This happened around the same time that the State Government made big changes to the City Council. Because of these changes, a group called the Builders Labourers Federation stopped work on other projects in the City Square.
In 1981, Vault found a new home. It was put back up in Batman Park, which was a quieter part of the city. It stayed there for many years until 2002. That year, it was moved again to its current spot outside the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank.
Protecting Its History
In 2017, experts suggested that Vault should be officially protected as a heritage item. This means it would be recognized as an important historical artwork for the city of Melbourne. This protection would help make sure the sculpture is preserved for future generations.
Vault's Influence
Vault has inspired many architects and designers in Melbourne. Some of the works by the architecture firm Denton Corker Marshall have even used the sculpture's bright yellow color. They did this almost as a way to show pride and support for Vault. Other architects, like those from ARM Architecture (Ashton Raggatt McDougall), have used the sculpture's unique shape in their own building designs.
Images for kids
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Vault at Southbank, pictured in 2005.
