Paving Art Rundle Street
Michelle Nikou
Michelle Nikou was commissioned by City of Adelaide to design an artwork to be integrated into the upgrade of the Rundle Street paving. The result was Paving Art Rundle Street.
The aim of this seeming simplistic artwork is to ‘speak to’ the viewer through multiple layers of understanding and response. The artists’ rationale for the numerous gold and silver coins was to pave the streets of Adelaide ‘with gold’. The daylight along Rundle Street in early morning and evening provides natural illumination that reflects off the gold coins especially well.
The selection of coins (current and antique) represents as many countries as possible. The use of international currency acknowledges the cultural diversity within the street and is a welcoming symbol for tourists and new residents of the city. The artwork invokes curiosity, and images and memories of foreign places.