Public Art

Thomas Sayre will be working on the public art for this road project. Examples of his previous work can be seen at:

http://www.thomassayre.com/work/earthcast/09_terroir/index.php

There will be a Public Open House featuring art concepts for this project on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
at Collier Elementary School 3900 N. Bear Canyon Rd.

Concept Narrative
Tanque Verde Roadway Improvement Public Art
July 24, 2009

The public art along the Tanque Verde Road improvement project seeks to literally hold up and celebrate the very reason there is a community along the road: the water, which has historically been found in the area, and used for livestock. The name of the road, itself, refers to the algae-covered watering holes which existed in the area and were fed, at least in part, by water which still flows over the existing roadway near Amberwood Drive during the summer and winter rains. As part of the roadway improvements, the Castle Wash will be diverted under Tanque Verde Road via long concrete culverts.

The concept for the art project is to cast an impression of the actual topography of the Castle Wash prior to its reconstruction. The “earthcast’ impressions of the “V” shaped wash would then be tilted up vertically to create a rhythm of vertical forms to be located nearby at the high spot of the Tanque Verde roadway where there is ample room amongst roadway plantings. Using the earthcast techniques which Clearscapes has developed over the last ten years, the casting will reflect the actual terrain, color, and contain some of the sand, gravel, and rocks which form the wash. Each casting will capture the texture and form of the bank, carved by water, as well as the alluvial deposits at the bottom of the wash.

Once stood vertical, the castings of the wash become a series of tanks, or “troughs”, giving a very different perspective of terrain carved by the flow of water. The edges of the “tanks” will be extremely thin compared to their 18-24’ height – giving evidence of the fragility of the wash itself which, after all, changes every time it rains. The concrete will be permanently colored with iron oxide in the direction of deep red/brown not unlike the colors of the local stone in low sunlight, such as sunset. This will give contrast to the more beige colors along the road, as well as contrast to the mineral deposits within the wash which will be a permanent part of the casting.

The arrangement of the vertical forms is not completely defined yet. One composition calls for a line composed of three individual pairs. Another scenario is a more informal arrangement of the vertical forms, much like a grove or stand of trees. While ultimately composed on site with mockups, the intent is for the castings to create an interesting rhythm in relation to the movement of cars and pedestrians going east and west. The spacing between the forms will be critical so as to have, at times, all elements acting as a whole and, at other times, the vertical elements break apart and show light between them with their ever-changing fractal edges against the sky.

In conclusion, the piece seeks, in an interesting way, to record and celebrate the passage and movement of water through the community which has everything to do with the history of the neighborhood. The piece seeks to create a memorable icon along the road to lend distinction and focus to an otherwise undifferentiated roadbed. As with most concepts, this one is a start and awaits the input of the design team and community.