A line of 26 animated legs ‘cycle’ along the wall above your head as you traverse 161 Clarence Street’s through site link. The ‘legs’ describe the action of cycling leaving the bicycle itself, or rather a multi-tandem cycle, to the imagination.

Alternating between states of rest and activity, the legs will spring to life in one of a series of choreographed ‘cycling’ sequences. At times the legs will operate as 14 pairs, one leg up one leg down, as they ‘pedal’ in circular motion. At others the movement will begin at one end and follow sequentially through to the other creating a rolling Mexican wave. In a further sequence, individual legs are activated one at a time to ‘follow’ someone as the walk alongside the sculpture whilst another leg appears to run up from behind and overtake it. In yet another sequence the legs could begin their movement from the centre of the frieze fanning out to its edges and then complete their performance in the reverse. Additional sequences could be programmed over the years to build up a movement sequence library.

Humorous and whimsical, the movement sequences will be episodic performances lasting up to a few minutes, followed by an equal period of rest. This on/off mode responds to the predominantly transient nature of the site, a place dominated by purposeful passage. The various and randomly programmed ‘cycling’ sequences operate as small ‘grab’ performances for an agile public whilst offering a greater level of complexity and intrigue to those sitting and working in the glass walled café opposite. Brief moments of stasis burst into anticipated action as a chorus line of legs cycle through their various paces. The rhythms created by frequent intervals of rest and activity will optimise the surprise and delight inherent in the process of start up and shut down - often delivering a movement’s most mesmerising moments.