Artists have traditionally entered the YCSA with only aesthetic applications of concrete. This year, we introduced a new category: Functional art, asking people to REIMAGINE, RETHINK and RECREATE. As part of our entry form direct mailer to universities, we included a stylish cement clock as an example of the type of work that could be created for the new category.

The cement clock represents the functional re-imagineering we were asking entrants to incorporate into their art. It also signified that time was counting down to the entry date, as these sculptures require a lot of thought, planning and consideration. The medium used was PPC cement, showing that if entrants applied their minds to this versatile product, they could create something out of the ordinary.

The introduction of this new category has had an enormous effect on the competition. 2012 saw a 57% increase in entries on the year before and the awards gala itself enjoyed a 44% greater turn out. The new Functional Art category received over 55% of all entries and saw artists pushing the boundaries by creating jewellery, furniture, coffee machines and other electronics.