“Tapestry” by Douwe Blumberg
Proposed concept artist’s narrative
During my exploration of the site and surrounding
neighborhoods, I was powerfully struck by the diversity of both the community
and the physical neighborhoods. I was
looking for something that would really quantify the area for me. This proved elusive
until I realized that this aspect was precisely what made this group of
neighborhoods unique. There are
working-class neighborhoods. There are retail areas. There are corporate and
warehousing areas. There are service businesses, all bisected by extremely
heavily trafficked roads populated and traveled by people of vastly different
ethnicities, cultural backgrounds and life experiences.
The idea planted in my head that this place was like a
giant, colorful tapestry made up of myriad diverse parts, all forming the
whole. This idea has informed the
concept proposal described below.
My goals for this artwork are many, but three stand above
the rest. First, I want to create an
artwork which resonates with the vibe of the area: something that somehow
encapsulates what I found unique about this diverse collection of neighborhoods
and peoples. Second,I want to create
an artwork that would feel “organic” to the traffic circle. It should fill a body of space that
harmonizes with that type of site and should be quickly and easily experienced from
360 degrees, all while responding to the physical and safety requirements of a
traffic circle. Finally,I simply want
to bring to these communities a world-class piece of art, one that would easily
grace the front of any fine art museum in the world.
My proposal’s working title, “Tapestry,” reflects the
artistic vision and message underlying the work. A monumentally-scaled racial/gender-neutral
face hovers in the center of the traffic circle. The piece is constructed from thousands of
cast aluminum alloy rings of varying sizes to create a matrix skin like a flat
piece of chain mail through which light can travel, giving the work a
fascinating and unique visual aspect during both day and night. The face comprises of separate linear
segments, each of different finishes: dark bronze, gold, silver and copper. Each segment forms a part of the face. The ends of each segment trail off into
abstract and flowing “ribbons,” which wrap around to outline the vague shape of
the head and to mirror the spiraling frenetic movement of the traffic circle
while also creating visual movement, interest and “lead-in” toward the face
from all angles.
The face segments are held in place, six feet above
ground-level by a central structural post and radiating smaller posts allowing
complete freedom of vision beneath the piece across the traffic circle
island. The piece will stand
approximately 19 feet tall, making it extremely large and colorful; two very
important requirements in such a visually complex site. It also conveniently raises the piece high
enough to discourage vandalism and climbing.
The rings are cast in an aircraft aluminum/magnesium alloy
of great strength, lightness and corrosion resistance. Except for the silver segment, each segment
is painted using automotive coatings to mimic the above-mentioned metals. This will result in a work requiring minimal
maintenance other than the occasional power-washing to remove airborne
contaminants.
I wanted to create a work here that is visually unique and
large in scope and scale. I also wanted
to create something that spoke directly to the surrounding communities. These communities are not fundamentally
composed of houses, business and warehouses; they are composed of people. People living their lives. People from many walks of life, histories,
ethnicities and life experiences. All of
these things flowing together form what we call communities and neighborhoods. This is reflected in “Tapestry.” Many diverse parts fitting together form the
whole image. Without each other, the
individual parts don’t make sense, but when harmonized constructively, a
beautiful image takes shape. The wild
movement reflects both the frenetic movement of the traffic and the pulsing,
searching energy of the surrounding communities.
To say I am excited about this concept is an
understatement. From the moment the idea
began to form in my head I have been wildly excited about it. The more I played with the concept, the more
it just naturally seemed to create itself, which is always a powerful sign. In short, I feel this piece is completely
unique; artistically, structurally and visually. It is a contemporary work, which simply feels
“right” for a traffic circle and the fusion of abstract with representational
styles will allow it to appeal to an extremely wide demographic.