Tetrahydrons

Herbert (Bert) Flugelman AM was born in Austria in 1923 and migrated to Australia in 1938. He studied at the National Art School in Sydney (1948-51) and then travelled and worked overseas. He held successful exhibitions in London and New York, and returned to Australia in 1955 where he exhibited paintings until 1967. A fire in his studio around this time destroyed much of his work, leading him to reassess his art and shift his focus to sculpture.  

Flugelman became known as one of the leaders of a new wave of sculpture practices that ranged from object-based to installation, conceptual and performance artworks.  

Between 1972-83 Fugleman lectured at the South Australian School of Art, eventually becoming Head of Sculpture department. During this time, he completed some of his most famous works, including Tetrahydrons (1974), Sculpture No.2 or Vertical Variation (1976) both lead to entrances of Adelaide Festival Centre. As well as Continuum (1974) in the grounds of the University of Adelaide, Knot (1975) in Light Square, and The Spheres (1977) affectionately known as the ‘Malls Balls’ on Rundle Mall. Tetrahydrons is a significant landmark to Adelaide Festival Centre and the cityscape. 

Tetrahydrons leads to the entrance of Adelaide Festival Centre from North Terrace, through the Plaza. Formed by seven pyramidal shapes, mirroring their surroundings, this piece of public art was design to suit the space it is exposed in and the aesthetic of Adelaide Festival Centre, its straight lines echoing the white shells.   

The polished stainless steel has interactive appeal with its moving shadows reacting with the viewer and with changing weather and lighting conditions. Viewers engage with the sculpture through their reflection and the perception of the sculpture changes depending on where one stands.   

"The sculptures become ambiguous objects in the sense that they reflect their surroundings in a painterly way.” - Bert Flugelman, 1974