Ice Follies. Idaho Ice World Public Art Proposal Sue Latta & Will Spearman

Transcription

1 Ice Follies Idaho Ice World Public Art Proposal Sue Latta & Will Spearman

2 Scale model, representative of varying materials and surface treatments for proposed main site. Ice Follies: A kinetic, interactive sculpture

3 Proposal Overview Ice Follies is a grouping of five kinetic, interactive, sculptures to be located at key locations in the lobby of Idaho Ice World, capturing the energy, movement and excitement of the environment, as well as emulating the facility s material surroundings. Ice Follies is designed to complement and respect the family-friendly context in which it will be viewed, and the audience who will interact with it, yet appeal to an aesthetic mirrored by the highest forms of skating sport. From the frosted blade-etched ice, to the flowing lines of figure skaters and hockey sticks wood, steel, cast resins, enamels and plastics, all connect, dissect and effortlessly spin engaging a varied audience of rink visitors. Proposed Site #1, adjacent to staircase to upper level, near information station. (Representational view, for photo reference only, sculpture not at scale.) Site Specifics Three specific sites have been selected for installation: In a grouping of 3, the primary location Site #1 is floor-mounted to the right of Idaho Ice World s front desk, in the crux of the main lobby staircase (which leads to the 2 nd floor offices and rehearsal/banquet space). Just steps from employee access to the information desk, Site # 1 is visible and easily approachable without interfering with the requirements of the space (event sign-ups, general lobby traffic flow, etc.). It is descriptively present, yet out of the way, allowing the piece to function clearly as sculptural artwork, visually captivating whether the kinetic properties are engaged or not. Site #s 2 and 3 are each aligned with the central handrail leading to the changing area and rink entrances, on both sides of the front desk. These sites are high-traffic areas selected to not just attract interactivity, but to demand it. The solid, durable materials are intended to be hand-spinningly stable with the insight that perhaps a few over-zealous hockey stick, skate blade, or helmet interactions are inevitable. Sites are subject to the needs of the facility, alternate locations can be determined.

4 Proposed Site #2, aligned with handrail at staircase to changing area. Proposed Site #2, aligned with handrail left of main lobby counter Design Insight Originally conceived to capture the unique surfaces found in the domain of the skating rink, the cubeoriented sculpture evolved from overhead, hanging mobile to totemic, interactive floor piece after the architectural features of the site, along with user experience and public traffic patterns, were explored. Each Ice Follies pole or totem is set with varying sized cubes free-mounted at a variety of angles, each spinning independently when acted upon by community viewers. Twelve feet tall, the individual powder-coated poles are integrated into their specific setting, following the facility s vibrant color scheme for the base (blue, red and yellow), with cubes that will be created from a broad spectrum of materials, each with unique design aptitude including cubes cast from translucent polyurethane resins, echoing the crystalline nature of true blocks of ice; cubes created of circular polished steel, in shiny patterns also found on the center s rental and return counter surfaces; transparent cubes, made from clear man-made material, capable of displaying etched graphics; natural wood cubes, visibly grained, also a field for engraved, figurative or abstract skate-themed work; framework-only cubes, fashioned of linear, slick chrome and more. Both the medium and the materials allow a wide variety of applications, some imagined though not feasible for the small scale proposal model such as the circling hockey puck or champion skates embedded in resin, and some perhaps realized during the sculpture s fabrication, part and parcel to the collaborative process.

5 Materials & Durability A wide variety of materials will be used to create each individual pole, however the base fixtures remain the same and include steel, and steel mount couplings, powder-coated with enamel. Each cube contains a collar of UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight) nylon tubing, allowing it to spin. Cube materials include 14-gauge steel, polyurethane cast resin, wood, and manufacture-endorsed unbreakable, un-crackable quarter-inch Lexan. Poles and cubes will have necessary protective coatings applied prior to installation. The weight and dimensionality of each pole will be determined as fabrication commences, however the maximum dimension of the largest cube form is 18 squared. Mounting and stability fixtures (such as the base and cap of each pole), will be created to enhance the work and the site. Armatures may be required to anchor the top of the Site #1 grouping, or a tension bracket created, as shown in the model, and included in fabrication budget estimate/contingency. Cubes with varying design applications including etching, engraving, carving/burning, & embedding 3D objects.

6 Maintenance It is recommended that the sculpture pieces be inspected, cleaned and lubricated, if necessary, on a semi-annual basis by the artists or a properly instructed member of the facility maintenance staff. The artists will provide detailed instructions on the upkeep and repair of any pieces, to keep Ice Follies in quality working order and at its highest aesthetic appeal, demonstrating structural and surface integrity. Additionally Idaho Ice World facility staff, or a pre-determined local contractor, can be present throughout installation for assistance on future maintenance issues and suggestions. The longevity of the Ice Follies sculpture as determined by design is perpetual, as both the cubes and poles can be individually replaced and repaired if damaged, without imposing insupportable burden on the facility or staff. Installation, Testing & Safety The installation of Ice Follies, including any acknowledgement plaques, armatures, lighting, etc., will be completed by the artists in collaboration with the facility management and Boise City Parks and Recreation personnel and approved contractors, if necessary. The installation will be scheduled to avoid any unnecessary interference with Idaho Ice World s routine activities or events. Testing of the Ice Follies sculpture will take place in studio, and at the site, from fabrication through completion and installation. The artists will be engaging both Ice World and Boise City Arts & History personnel to monitor testing as the fabrication process commences. Ice Follies is sited and constructed to minimize safety concerns, and all materials and methods employed should mirror those commonly found in publicly accessible areas. All exposed edges will be smooth finished. The team will work with city and facility departments to ensure that the work of art does not present safety hazards/public liability. As an interactive, kinetic sculpture, the potential for vandalism/harm exists, however the aspiration is that the engaging nature of the art will make it a treasured asset of Idaho Ice World, properly and safely encountered.

7 Budget Artist s Fees $3600 Graphic Design $1500 Fabrication $5000 Electrical $900 Metal Cutting $300 Engraving $400 Powder coating $300 Resin $5500 Steel $546 Plastic Sheet $1080 Steel Pipe $336 Plastic Pipe $665 Wood $216 Shop Supplies $300 Sales tax $212 Space Rent $1300 Insurance/Liability* $100 Installation $350 Contingency $1395 BUDGET TOTAL $24000 * The Sculpture Studio holds a $2 million liability policy with the City of Boise as a certificate holder. Timeline Fabrication can commence upon contractual completion. Work will take place in one central location, under the guidance of the artists, with little outsourcing or vendor necessity. This allows the work to be completed in a timely manner, with installation possible as early as June/July Site installation should take less than 36 hours and require minimal equipment.

8 Artist Team We are professional artists working in different and varying media, locally in the Treasure Valley collaborating for the first time. We have brought our combined years of experience in fine art, sculpture, commercial design and display, together in a unified vision that we know will enhance the Idaho Ice World site, appealing to visitors and staff, engaging participation with its spinning ice-like cubes and be a complement to the city s growing collection of public art funded through the Percent for Art Project. The Idaho Ice World proposal has already broadened our skills as individuals and as a design team. We thank you for your time and consideration. We wish to thank the Boise City Department of Arts & History, Boise Parks & Recreation & Idaho Ice World, and the Percent for Art Project for the opportunity to collaborate, create, and celebrate art! Sue Latta Will Spearman

9 Artist s Recent Public Art Projects Sue Latta Periaktos Periaktos 4 views. Steel, polyurethane resin, ball-bearing system. 7 columns, 7 4 x 10.5 x 15 ea., Overall size 7 4 x 7 x 15. Interactive, Kinetic site-specific sculpture. This view shows all 3 sides of the sculpture which spins on an axis, as well as a mixed view. Periaktos Interaction: This view shows the audience interaction with the piece. Will Spearman The Buck Stops Here & Tabula Astrum Omnibus Site installation photographs/full design insets. Vinyl application of vector illustration in local transit shelters as part of Boise City Public Art Projects via Department of Arts & History. 6-panel glass ceiling of bus shelter with frosted/vinyl overlay. Concept collaboration with Melissa Chambers. Illustrations created by Will Spearman, production & installation by Signs Now, Boise, ID. Team Contact Information Sue Latta 735 Day Dr., Boise ID (208) home (208) cell steelsue@cableone.net suelatta.com & thesculpturestudio.org Will Spearman 4352 Castlebar Court., Boise ID (208) willspearman@cableone.net willspearman.com