The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) has unveiled a major new public artwork by British artist LUAP (Paul Robinson) as part of a landmark collaboration. A four-metre-tall, walk-in installation fabricated using recycled plastics, The Pink Bear Pavilion is LUAP’s largest sculpture to date and pays homage to the London-based artist’s recurring motif of a pink bear.
The Pink Bear Pavilion can be seen from 30th May to 9th June at the Altonaler Balkon, as part of the altonale Festival in Hamburg. Embodying a fusion of art, design and cutting-edge technology, The Pink Bear Pavilion also acts as a significant figurehead to mark a major component of this ongoing project – the UE’s granting of 17 ‘LUAP Pink Bear Scholarships’. Two of these will be full scholarships, and the overall fund for the grant is a staggering €250,000.
The Pink Bear Pavilion expands on the artist’s continued exploration of his Pink Bear creation – a recurring motif throughout his paintings, photography, performance and murals in which lie global themes that delve into many universal facets of humanity: mental well-being, environmental awareness and interpersonal relationships. Initially conceived as a sanctuary for LUAP, the bear has evolved into a symbol of comfort for all. In parallel, the structure of the pavilion has come from miniature to monumental, originally sculpted in plasticine before being 3D-scanned and scaled. From a mere 6cm to now 4m tall, what was handheld has become all-embracing. Stepping into the bear head is akin to entering the bear’s mind – a sanctuary, a refuge.
In collaboration with Nagami, CH2O, and Exarchitects, LUAP’s pavilion boasts a surface crafted from 2500 kg of recycled plastic, brought to life with the precision of eight large robotic arms. Reflecting LUAP’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, the pavilion’s construction champions eco-consciousness through the utilization of recycled materials, FSC-certified timber and cutting-edge 3D printing technology.
You can find the application criteria and details about the scholarship here, please visit:
ue-germany.com/blog/the-pink-bear-pavilion-at-the-altonale
About the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE)
UE offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes as well as dual Bachelor’s and MBA programmes and has been institutionally accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities for a maximum period of ten years and system accredited by FIBAA. The university has already received the German Education Award twice. In addition, its practice-oriented dual study programmes have been awarded the STERN seal of approval as “Best Provider of Dual Study Programmes”. The University of Europe for Applied Sciences is part of GUS Germany GmbH (GGG), a dynamic network of higher education institutions with more than 15,000 students at locations in Germany, Europe and beyond. UE currently has around 4,600 students from Germany and abroad. ue-germany.com youtube.com/c/uegermany
About the artist.
Paul Robinson (b. Grimsby, UK, 1982), known professionally as LUAP, is a British contemporary artist who now lives and works in London. He works across various mediums, including painting, photography, performance and sculpture. LUAP explores themes related to the human condition and environmental concerns, drawing inspiration from his own experiences. Painting from his own photography, LUAP layers abstraction and hyperrealism to dynamically render his unique perception of the world – this classical practice finds a counterpart in his thirst for adventure, as an artist who embraces uncertainty, immersing himself in extreme environmental settings and pushing the limits of endurance to improve his well-being whilst he captures his striking photographs. Central to LUAP’s practice is “The Pink Bear,” a symbol born from his Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions that encapsulates the spectrum of human encounters and serves as a vessel for connection, exploration and revelation. LUAP has exhibited globally, including in London, New York, Dubai, Hong Kong and Berlin. He has collaborated with prestigious institutions and brands including Christie’s, Nikon, Fortnum & Mason and Marriott International. A Pink Bear print sold for three times listed price at Christie’s auction house on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust.
luapstudios.co.uk
