HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit BArtwork for Fern Isle Park: Actual Size Artworks
We believe in the transformative potential of artwork in the community. As we move about
our days, deep in thought or looking at a screen, the experience of engaging with our
surroundings and our community can fade. Artwork can recharge this connection, wake us up
and remind us that we are bodies in space, sharing that space with others, not alone. Artwork
can surprise us, pique our curiosity and our wonder. It creates a destination, and embeds a
place in our memory.
This project presents a unique opportunity to create a space for imagination and possibility.
Fern Isle Park welcomes the community to a shared experience of the river. Its green spaces,
picnic and play areas, and iconic bridge will inspire the residents who get to enjoy the park, and
they provided a point of departure for our ideas.
Concept 1: "Fern Isle Gateway"
This sculpture will create a dramatic moment of arrival at the
park's entry point, and will be repeated at the entry to the
bridge. The sculpture is a cluster of linear forms that allude
to grass or plant shapes, gracefully rising to meet in the
center and form an arch. Both organic and architectural, the
sculpture invites visitors to walk through the breezeway and
enter the park. It announces that we have entered
someplace different — a welcoming, relaxing space hidden in
plain sight in the urban environment. This sculpture will be
repeated in a slightly smaller form at the entrance to
walkway leading to the bridge. The historic bridge is likewise
a moment to pause and consider our surroundings — as well
as a transition from a passive -activity park to a more active one. The sculpture will create this
moment of attention as it frames the view in both directions.
The sculpture will be fabricated out of steel with an
automotive finish in shades of gold, bronze and yellow. It will
stand out against the entry building as well as the green
space with its strong profile and vivid color. We envision the
bases of the two forms arising from a planted area or a
mulch or gravel bed — this aspect will be designed in
collaboration with park staff in order to reduce or eliminate
maintenance. The sculpture will be ADA accessible. Small
landscape lights at the base will create a striking effect at
night.
All three of these proposals are conceptual and will be developed further in consultation with
the City.
Concept 2: "Sky Canopy"
This sculpture will likewise create a dramatic
moment of arrival at the park's entry point, one
that reminds visitors of the park's connection to
the river and sky. This sculpture features a series
of rolling silver bands held aloft by a group of
graceful intersecting arches, creating the
impression of walking under the surface of the
river. The silver bands are pierced by star and fish
shapes, a reference to what is above and below
us. These shapes will be broadcast onto the
paving below by Florida's strong daylight, moving
across the pavilion as the sun shifts position in the sky. This effect can be produced at night as
well by the addition of small lights above the artwork. This sculpture reminds us of the close
connection to nature we are able to find in urban parks such as this one.
The sculpture will be fabricated out of brushed stainless steel or aluminum, in consultation with
our engineer and City staff. The pattern will be laser cut and have no sharp edges, although it
will be tall enough to be out of pedestrian space. The radiant silver finish will change
appearance depending on the weather and lighting conditions, encouraging repeat viewing. It
will be ADA accessible and require little to no maintenance. We envision a smaller version of
this at the entrance to the bridge to carry the motif through the park, if the budget were to be
increased at some future point. All three of these proposals are conceptual and will be
developed further in consultation with the City.
Concept 3: "South Fork River Bench"
This sculpture brings into focus the Miami River as a key
element in the city's natural and cultural heritage. It also
engages another notable feature of the park -the specimen
pine tree near the entrance to the park. The profile of the
South Fork in the vicinity of the park creates the shape of a
winding sculpture that embraces this significant and beautiful
tree. It winds its way through the green space and
encourages visitors to meander through the picnic area and
oak trees as they explore the park. The sculpture will be
- - integrated into the landscape but visually stand out with its
palette of blue, gray and white cast stone. It provides a
moment of respite for visitors who wish to sit in this shady area; they may not recognize the
shape of the river at first glance but on repeated visits, the shape will express itself as its
character becomes clear. Low landscape lighting beneath the structure will turn it into a
glowing, understated form at night.
The sculpture will be made of cast stone in segments, sealed and reinforced with steel. We will
work with a local fabricator from your vendor list, and design the interaction with the sidewalk
in collaboration with City staff. It will be ADA accessible and require little to no maintenance.
We envision a smaller version of this at other locations to carry the motif through the park, if
the budget were to be increased at some future point. All three of these proposals are
conceptual and will be developed further in consultation with the City.
Contractors:
Local contractors (to be determined) will be as much as possible.
Timeline:
Each proposal has approximately a 6-mo. turnaround from contract.
Draft Budget:
Fabrication (includes materials, laser cutting, welding)
37,000.00
Surface treatments
1,000.00
Site work (pad & footings, grading)
3,500.00
Engineering and construction drawings
2,500.00
Electrical
3,000.00
Artists' travel
2,500.00
Installation (equipment rental)
3,000.00
Studio supplies and hardware
1,800.00
Liability insurance 5 mo. Prorated)
600.00
Studio costs (6 mo. Prorated)
600.00
Administrative costs
500.00
Documentation (photographer+ image files)
in kind
Artist's fee, 10%
6,000.00
3% contingency, approx..
2,000.00
Total
64,000.00
'1 1 E
I
R-
� n
Concept 1: "Fern ISIE
t,
'6AU/ANAV W IM
AJO DOYlOA'OIR
f 6 ���
No%-sm TAw LWAK w
7mtzR mw "C CC I MMj-
7[C DGTNL
MAO" m Q"
.ARMP STW" 9-I
2 V2' CMT ST&C
IN V" NORTAR m
FRW ON ALL MlVt
twAcm MITO[ A
.Y ARMM STM
APPRO" ER ISO
Concept 2: "Sky Canopy"
t F fie
r
F
tot
•
A ,
4
+� 9 1,
\ \\
Y., I
p
rip
Plan
i
1 �I
a
4
O M1 rr �
Roof Plan