Press release February 2006

Question: What do you get if you cross an atomic physicist and a water feature designer?

Answer: Urban artist Dr Steve Hopkins, creator of  ‘weird and wonderful’ illuminated water features for gardens, patios and balconies. Steve’s unusual work is showing this month at ‘The Art Collection’ gallery in the Printworks, Manchester, currently running an open exhibition of work by local artists until mid February. Steve is using the exhibition to launch his  new company, Orrelwood Waterworks, specialising in the design and manufacture of hi-tech illuminated water features. An inventor, physicist, artist and musician, Steve is inspired by the large illuminated fountains that act as  public attractions around the world. His aim is to capture their essence and distil it down to a smaller scale suited to typical private gardens, and then to add a bit of hi-tech magic of his own.  At his Whalley Range studio, Steve starts by looking for and inventing exciting new visual effects in flowing water and light. That's the 1% inspiration. Then the necessary 99% perspiration begins because any good new idea has to be engineered into a well designed, reliable product.

After two years of creative and technical development, Steve is proud to unveil several examples of his first invention, which he calls the ‘Lumifont’. Housed in an exhibition tent to simulate twilight, they are fascinating objects. By day, the Lumifont is an elegant self-contained water feature but it comes into its own after dusk, producing a mesmerizing, flame-like display of magical colours. One model (£325) is housed in a graceful, tall ceramic jar, two feet high, with a subtle grey and brown glaze. At the top an illuminated water plume flows from a  sculpted metal flower.

An important point: Because the Lumifont is best appreciated after dark, Steve has designed them to run throughout the winter by adding several frost-protection measures. So the Lumifont adds life, colour and magic to the garden even when the nights are cold, dark and long. 
   The Lumifont is built-to-last in proud Manchester engineering tradition with a two year guarantee and an expected life of 5 – 10 years or more. It uses an inherently safe low voltage design, it is easily installed (just plug in to an indoors socket), and easily maintained.

At The Art Collection, Printworks, Manchester until mid March (at present open 1pm – 8pm every day).

Past

Steve’s varied past included twelve years as a session keyboard player (with acts including John Cooper Clarke, Jilted John, Martin Hannett, Happy Mondays), twelve years as a research physicist (cooling atoms to within a whisker of absolute zero with lasers at Oxford University). His new ‘hi-tech fountains’ venture satisfies both the technical and creative sides of his personality.

Future

Steve is now working on expanding his range of self-contained, illuminated water features, always with the accent on innovation.
    He is seeking further commissions for custom design of light and water sculptures for larger spaces such as bars, restaurants and exhibitions. For instance, he has collaborated on a large waterfall in a bronze-medal garden, ‘Kidneys for Life’, at this year’s RHS show at Tatton Park. Or more recently has constructed, for a private garden,  a large glowing Perspex cuboid, five feet tall, over which water continually flows to fabulous effect.  He has also acting as a water feature consultant for landscape architects and garden designers.  
    His ultimate ambition is to build a travelling choreographed light, water and music show to take on the road to festivals.

More information may be found at www.orrelwood.co.uk.  

© 2005  Orrelwood Waterworks      Last updated: 10 Feb 2006 .