Collaborating with renowned artists Catherine Yass and Kathrin Böhm and a multi-faceted project team, global place maker Moss has successfully completed the production and installation of two significant pieces of artwork for the new public art programme at West London’s newest destination Paddington Square, owned by Great Western Developments.
Working closely with curator Stella Ioannou of Lacuna Projects, Mtec Fine Art, Gardiner & Theobald LLP, and Blu-3, the project team delivered its vision to provide an inspiring public arts programme.
Moss worked closely with both artists for colour testing, frame and lighting design, and fabrication to ensure the printed artwork perfectly complemented the architectural design of the new Renzo Piano-designed building.
Utilising Moss’s on-site studio, all parties ensured the artworks maintained the integrity and vibrancy of the artists' original visions. For Kathrin Böhm’s installation, the colour matching involved collaboration between her team, Moss’s production and project management staff, along with its Senior Artworker Liam Lee. A visit to Moss’s St. Neots headquarters was followed by a final review, resulting in a perfect balance between boldness of colour and contrast.
Catherine Yass’s artwork, derived from 16-millimetre film negatives digitally transferred and composed, required an even more hands-on approach. Yass and her team visited the Moss facility three times for colour tests, with six additional print tests sent to her studio. This rigorous process, guided by Moss Studio Manager James Gifford, ensured the final piece achieved the desired depth and flow.
The installation process involved highly skilled crews from Hi-Maintenance and Industrial Abseiling, with the entire install overseen by the Moss project management team to ensure precision and adherence to the artists' vision. Both Catherine Yass and The Showroom team, alongside Lacuna Projects, attended the installations to witness and celebrate in the moments of the final reveal. It was a heartfelt moment for both artists and the teams working on the projects as they saw all their hard work come together.
As a permanent fixture, Catherine Yass’s installation spans 152 square meters, printed on durable semi-coated front-lit PVC to withstand the outdoor conditions. The commission is Yass’s first outdoor public realm commission in London. The sustainable credentials of Moss were paramount to her installation, and included working with the most appropriate materials available as well as minimising and recycling of any waste and cut offs.
Kathrin Böhm’s piece, covering 92 square metres, is part of a three-year rotational programme in partnership with The Showroom and will be updated annually, providing a dynamic element to the public art programme. The piece, printed on Kavalan Sunlight Grey Back material, enabled Moss to offer an environmentally friendly option, with all off-cuts and unwanted samples disposed of within Moss’s recycling system. In addition, once the artwork is changed, Moss will work with the artist and project team to determine whether it will be kept or recycled again.
Stella Ioannou, Director of Lacuna Projects, remarked on the collaboration: “Working with Moss has been a fantastic experience. Their dedication to bringing the artists' visions to life with such meticulous detail and care has been instrumental in the success of these two artworks.
“Our mission was to activate the site as a civic space and urban destination which we have achieved by delivering an engaging public art programme with four commissions by international and local artists: Catherine Yass, Kathrin Böhm, Ugo Rondinone and Pae White. Moss enabled us to deliver on our vision.”
Megan Storey-Smith, Project Manager at Moss added: “This project is a testament to the collaborative nature and technical expertise of all involved. We are proud to have contributed to the Paddington Square public art programme, showcasing the talents of Catherine Yass and Kathrin Böhm in such a prestigious setting. At Moss, the level of care and service across all departments allows us to stand out as a leader in our industry, and projects like this reinforce our commitment to enhancing the cultural landscape of London.”
