Obelisks Sculpture Commissioned for Dovehouse Green, Chelsea

Obelisks is installed in Dovehouse Green, a former graveyard on King’s Road, Chelsea. This new work of art comprises a series of carbon fibre obelisks that wobble, promoting interaction between the public and contemporary art. 

Alongside a permanent and static obelisk that is already situated in the park, Jakobsen's sculpture present a playful artwork that replaces stone with carbon fibre and solemnity with humour, in a contemporary comment on public statuary. Obelisks re-activates the historical significance of Dovehouse Green by subverting one of the oldest symbols used in commemorative sculpture through mobility and play.

The Old Burial Ground was consecrated in 1733 and features a plaque memorialising civilians killed in World War II. In 1977 the gardens were refurbished by the Chelsea Society to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and the site was re-named Dovehouse Green. The park is also associated with the Punk movement in the 1970s and the vibrancy of local art, fashion and music scenes. 

This commission was initiated by Royal College of Art MA Curating Contemporary Art students Federica Buzzi, Gabria Lupone, Louise Potzesny and Jessica Taylor, in collaboration with the Royal College of Art MA Sculpture programme and RCA sculpture alumnus Oskar Jakobsen. The project is generously supported by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with many thanks to Dr Brian Leathard, Reverend of St. Luke and Christ Church, and to The Chelsea Society, for their knowledge and encouragement.

Obelisks will be on display at Dovehouse Green, London SW3 on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May, 12–6pm, and daily until Friday 5 June.