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New sculpture in development for Denver

March 31, 2016 by David

I am currently working with Aaron Whelton  on a new public art sculpture project for Sand Hills Prairie Park in the Forest Hills development in Stapleton.  Not far from where I grew up and went to high school, this is an amazing opportunity to get back to my home town and get to practice my craft.  What we are envisioning will transform an otherwise mundane space into something exceptional.  This is a preview of what we have in mind.

The site for the project is this pedestrian underpass in Sand Hills Prairie park with Central Park Boulevard running over it.

Pedestrian Underpass at Sand Hills Prairie Park
Pedestrian Underpass at Sand Hills Prairie Park under construction

The theme of the park is based on sand hill landscape formations that existed in the area before the building of Stapleton Airport.  The concept emerged from the idea of sand formations.  We designed a sculpture of sand dunes that will be approximately 116′ long and 23′ wide.  The model looks like this.

preliminary model for Sand Hills Prairie Park
preliminary model for Sand Hills Prairie Park

The sculpture will be hung from the ceiling of the tunnel for a very surreal effect as you move through the space.

Rendering of the Dune Sculpture from the entrance of the pedestrian underpass
Rendering of the Dune Sculpture from the entrance of the pedestrian underpass
Rendering from the opposite entrance of the Dune Sculpture concept in the pedestrian underpass
Rendering from the opposite entrance of the Dune Sculpture concept in the pedestrian underpass

Rather than decorate the entrances to the overpass we wanted to transform the space inside the tunnel itself.  The sculptural members will be painted a white to brighten the space and hopefully the whole effect will make it a destination to be experienced.

 

 

rendered view from of the sculpture Inside the Central Park Boulevard underpass
rendered view from of the sculpture Inside the Central Park Boulevard underpass

The tunnel is also oriented almost due east and west which at sunrise and sunset should allow the reflective nature of the sculpture change with the light and color at different times of the day and year.

detail of the Dune Sculpture installation
detail of the Dune Sculpture installation

We are right now finalizing the design and going through all of the steps for approval required by the various stakeholders.  Keep your fingers crossed and we should be installing in the early fall 2016.

 

David

Filed Under: Installations, News, Process, Public Art, sculpture, Uncategorized Tagged With: Denver, dunes, Forest Hills, public art network, sand dunes, Sand Hills Prairie Park, sculpture woodworking, Stapleton

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