Will Collieson’s ‘Points of View’ outside the new Waterloo House points to our nautical historyBy Jessie Moniz HardyPitts Bay Road has a new point of view thanks to the work of artist Will Collieson.A new art installation by Mr Collieson placed in front of Waterloo House was unveiled this week to enhance the forecourt of the building.The 26-foot tall sculpture named Points of View has a nautical feel with sail-like shapes flowing in a multitude of curves giving it a local flavour while linking the building with its location on the harbour and the building’s waterfront marina.“We were specifically interested in working with a local artist for this project and Will has a long and distinguished career as an artist and designer in Bermuda,” said Alexander Green on behalf of the Green family who owns the newly developed property. “We are thrilled with the final sculpture.“It is a relatively simple concept, yet its shapes and curves give it an interesting degree of complexity.“There is an intriguing play of reflection, shade and shadow as the sun moves across the multiple curves of the sculpture and at night specially designed lighting continues the play of surfaces.”The sculpture took over a year to build and every part was custom made. Special moulds were built to form the fibreglass “spars” and “sails,” and purpose-made jigs were set up to accurately assemble everything.Prior to fabrication there was detailed design work to ensure that the many connections required to join all the components would be neat or concealed, yet resistant to hurricane force winds.Mr Collieson has designed several other public art pieces in Bermuda including two large sculptures inside HSBC, as well as the steel sculpture outside Sterling House and a sculpture outside the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.He has also spent more than 30 years using installation art to create window displays for some of Bermuda’s most well-known department stores.Mr Collieson said the location was a great inspiration.“I was delighted to be chosen for this project as the beautiful Waterloo House,” he said. “While I knew the sculpture would have to be fairly tall, I also had to make sure it would work in symphony with the architecture of the building.“Waterloo House has a light, airy and unobtrusive feeling so the sculpture had to reflect that.“Set within an infinity pool, the sculpture is designed to float within the space.”To create the sculpture, Mr Collieson made a series of drawings and then maquettes (scale models). The next step was to get it fabricated.“Because of the size, it is 26ft tall, it has to withstand hurricane force winds,” he said. “I worked with architectural firm Botelho and Wood.“They had contacts in Canada that worked specifically with fibreglass.“They took the maquette and scaled it up and was made in components. Then the components came over with a team who installed it.“Anything that size in Bermuda has to be structurally sound.”He said if you come down Pitts Bay Road from Blucks you can’t miss it.“It is actually quite noticeable,” he said. “You couldn’t stumble on it.”The sculpture will also have small lights on it so it will be visible at night.He said the secret to successful public art was having enough space around it for people to enjoy it.He also wanted it to compliment Waterloo House.“It has a bit of space around it, and I imagine it will be very a very inviting spot for people to think or eat their lunch,” he said.Mr Green thanked Mr Collieson for his artistic contribution.“We hope that residents and tenants of the building as well as passers-by enjoy the sculpture for years to come,” Mr Green said.Waterloo House was completed in August 2013.