The Domain, The Architecture of Bathing (Theme Day: Wood)

This mostly wooden artwork on the shore of Woolloomooloo Bay at the Domain is known as the The Architecture of Bathing by Robyn Decker, created in 1999. The monument reflects upon the cultural attitudes towards bathing in Sydney and also signifies tidal movements and the naval presence across the bay. It is located near the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool and opposite the Woolloomooloo wharf and Garden Island dockyards. A bathing machine was part of the attraction of the first ladies' baths which opened in this area in 1833 by Mrs Biggs, who was the wife of Governor Macquarie's coachman. The plaque reads: "The Woolloomooloo Bay shoreline has a long association with bathing. It is reported to have been used by the Cattigal people prior to and after European settlement and it is along this shore that Sydney's first baths were built. The Woolloomooloo baths nurtured some of Australia's greatest national and Olympic swimming champions. Between 1833 and 1955 this area of the Bay was the site of four separate ladies’ bathing establishments - Mrs Biggs’ Ladies Baths, Robertson's Ladies Floating Baths, the Corporation Ladies Baths and finally the Domain Baths for Ladies. This artwork traces the perimeter of the former Domain Baths for Ladies. The elements form a collage ... a floating jetty evokes the memory of the boardwalk and marks tidal changes ... a concrete path defines the poolside deck and changing cubicles ... a bathing machine is evoked by the stair, cage and portal frame to represent the closeted space of expected modesty associated with the early days of bathing...the portal frame of the bathing machine signals across the bay via the obsolete language of Morse code".
The message flashed in morse code and in print on the deck is: "Mrs Biggs even had a bathing machine to attract ladies".

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants of this theme day