Cutting Edge: part of a contribution to regeneration programmes through creative collaborations through the production of public artworks

Cutting Edge is a key component of Sheffield's Sheaf Square regeneration, part of a £50 million programme that transformed the station and its surroundings into an uplifting city gateway. (Government, Europe and private sector funded). It is the most recent example of Knight's development of the role and impact of applied art in urban regeneration from 1997 to the present day. This piece exemplifies how emotive functions of art (a sense of place and belonging) can combine with physical functions of design (serving as street furniture). It demonstrates how early involvement within the concept stages of a master plan enables real integration of artwork into the urban landscape. This rationale was utilised to qualify and capitalise on the artwork within planning strategy, economic rationale, political agenda and audience engagement. This approach developed through Knight's earlier projects: Desire, South Shore Promenade, Blackpool 2001 Sheaf Tree, Brewery Wharf, Leeds 2004, Festival Place Service bay doors, Basingstoke 2002, Baltic Quays Car-park Grilles, Gateshead 2003 and Hoyland Town Square Screens, Barnsley 2004 (Si Applied Ltd). Public Art contributed to Knight's Jerwood Applied Arts Prize submission (1). Si Applied Ltd. (Knight, Payne, Tyssen) was formed to provide a platform for large public art projects and formalises the principle of establishing collaborative creative conditions beyond individual applied art practice. The Si Applied team joined the Sheaf Square Design Team at the mid concept / design development stages. The concept design of Cutting Edge was generated by Si Applied Ltd with Kieko Mackaide (glass elements). SI worked closely with Price Myers 3D and Jordons Engineering Ltd who implemented the structural design and manufacturing. Cutting Edge has been cited in numerous publications and websites