Vault, Public sculpture at Southbank, Melbourne, Australia
Vault is a yellow metal sculpture in Southbank, Melbourne, made from large polygonal sheets of prefabricated steel assembled into dynamic geometric shapes. The abstract formation creates an imposing work that stands outside the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.
The work was commissioned by Melbourne City Council in 1978 and first installed at City Square. However, it was removed just three months later in 1980 after public controversy.
The sculpture generated intense public discussions about modern art in public spaces, leading to numerous protests and debates within the Melbourne community.
The sculpture is located outside the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and is easily visible from street level. You can view it freely at any time without needing to enter a building.
The construction workers who built the piece initially called it Steelhenge before sculptor Ron Robertson-Swann officially named it Vault in 1980. This informal name reflected how workers viewed the massive steel structure during its assembly.
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