Australian sculptor Ari Purhonen has transformed Haslams Pier with an innovative artwork built into the pier's floor surface.

As you walk along the pier, the artwork gradually becomes manifest through the metal grating of the floor surface. A series of painted aluminium rods change colour across the spectrum, and appear to change direction as you move along the pier.

The range of colours evokes the way water causes light to break into its rainbow spectrum. The sculpture creates an optical effect that changes as visitors stroll along the length of the pier. The subtle shifting angles of the rods underneath the web forged metal create the illusion of movement. The hardwood flooring also features a line of inlaid brass. Initially following the direction of Olympic Boulevard, the brass line, too, changes direction and gradually opens out towards the wetland.

The sculpture is especially responsive to changing light conditions, taking on a different character as the conditions vary. At night, fluorescent illumination in the floor creates a psychedelic effect. During the day, bright sunlight brings out the moving effect. Osmosis is an environmental work that marks the border between the urban development precinct of the Park and the parkland. It is also a poetic interpretation of the flow of stormwater from Olympic Plaza, and the cleansing action of the soil, air and wetland treatment ponds.

To view a video on the “Osmosis” artwork visit the Urban Art Audio Video Gallery.