Learn more about this project here
Thanks to the Microsoft art collection and to the Lumiere Group for making this video possible. This project couldn’t have been made without the help of our partners at:
We are so excited to announce the opening of our new project at the Shedd Aquarium on Chicago’s lakefront. Made at Kohler Co where I lived for 8 months with my Wife Joanne and my son Mikel took turns helping make the fish. We worked in the Kohler Factory Pottery along side Kohler associates and one retiree, to make the more than 1600 fish that make up the installation. Laura and David Kohler allowed us to make the work in their family factory. We were given access to its full resources to have an extended Wisconsin residency, which would become what is now known as “Makersspace”
CHICAGO – Shedd Aquarium is unveiling a brand new, permanent art installation that punctuates a newly enhanced accessible entry experience for guests. Created out of vitreous china, the hanging sculpture features 1,600 individual fish. They represent Lake Michigan species like longnose gar, lake trout, walleye, cisco, northern pike and lake sturgeon. Created by artist David Franklin, in partnership with Kohler, the piece – titled “The Once and Forever Lake Michigan” – celebrates the ancient aquatic species that have thrived in this region for thousands of years, while inspiring their continued protection for generations to come.
The sculpture hangs in Shedd Aquarium’s new atrium, which was recently constructed as part of the aquarium’s multi-year Experience Evolution. Guests traveling up or down newly installed stairs and escalators will be able to get a closer look at the sculpture from various angles as they move from one level of the aquarium to another. As visitors move and flow through the space, views of the sculpture shift and change like a living school of fish in the lake.
“Shedd Aquarium has such an important place in our community — positioned right where the vast wilderness of the Great Lakes meets the vibrant city of Chicago – a fitting place to celebrate the fish of lake Michigan,” said Sarah Hezel, vice president of design and exhibits at Shedd Aquarium.
The installation took 30 days to complete, with Franklin, his wife Joanne Franklin, hanging each individual fish in the exact right position. The result is a dynamic formation of fish caught in suspended animation that can be viewed by guests from multiple vantage points as they enter or exit the aquarium.
“My hope is that this sculpture will transport visitors entering Shedd into a dynamic scene beneath the surface of Lake Michigan. A preview of all the wonders that await them inside the aquarium,” said Franklin. “It was made at Kohler Company, near the shore of the lake, by the kind and hardworking people of the region. It is also intended to showcase the natural treasures swimming in Chicago’s home waters.”
The materials used to create the sculpture were scrupulously chosen to help blend the enhanced entry with the aquarium’s original architecture. While much of the historic details of the building enshrine marine species, this new installation helps the aquarium balance that motif with standout species from the freshwater world.
This project has been a two year long odyssey for my family and I. There were feats of strength and endurance, tragic failures, and great triumphs. I spent 8 months working in the faraway kingdom of Kohler, Wisconsin. It is a bit too much to fully illustrate right here. I will tell the whole story chapter by chapter right here very soon. Some background can be found in my blog here:
We had a lot of help to make this happen.
This work was made In the Kohler Factory Pottery in Kohler, Wisconsin near the shores of Lake Michigan. It was designed with the help of Aaron Whelton and RBHU Engineers. It was made with the support of David and Laura Kohler and with help from our friend Shari McWilliams, and countless associates at the factory. My wife, Joanne Franklin, Mikel Franklin, Ruby Franklin, Sarah Franklin, our friend and Kohler retiree John Bueter worked closely with us in the studio. Todd Miskie, Scott Meyer, Patrick Schad, ValJean Marcos, Brian Miller, Brian Penkwitz, Jim Limberg, Kevin Mallach, Roger Sheets, Randy Halida, John Zutz, David Hammer, Jamie Schramm, Tom Bowen, Mike Frombauch, Vitor Wojastyk, Steve Czekala, Russ Swagell, Dave Glanders, Jeff Radke, Jerry Thorpe, Dale Wagner, Mike Schmitz all contributed to the success of the project.
Thanks to the team at John G Shedd Aquarium: Bridget C. Coughlin, Sarah Hezel, Julian Glomb, Sarah Aman, Kristen Neria, Brenna Hernandez, Sam Cejtin and so many others.
JLL: Jessica Mavrogenes, Kelly Kilboy, and Ewa Weir
Pepper Construction: Dave Haas, Tom Baldacci, Derrick Ellis, Bryant Loving, Bob O’Brien, Gina Colucci, and Janice Myrick.
Milan Design Week/Salone Del Mobile 2024 With Kohler Co
Made from Vitreous China, Glaze, PVD Coatings, String, Beads
Creatures of water, borne of earth and fire, embody the theme of 2024 Milan Design Week “Materia Natura.” The “Scuola di Pesci” installation represents the importance of forage fish as a cornerstone species for our oceans and freshwater habitats. Like these small fish, we all need clean water. The gleaming fish are jewel-like treasures of the ocean.
My wife Joanne and I made these fish with the help of 44 year Kohler retiree John Bueter, on the 150th anniversary of Kohler Co. This installation was inspired by the environment and strong fishing culture of Lake Michigan, one of America’s Great Lakes, where the Kohler Factory is located.
The installation was made with the same materials and glazes used in Kohler products. The fish are finished in traditional Kohler glazes. Some also have a PVD luster finish, that adds a reflective streak of color to the installation. This streak of color represents both aquatic and human diversity. It also represents the incredible potential of uniting artistry with industry.
Joanne and I were invited to temporarily install this school of fish in Milan for Design Week 2024 by Kohler Co, as part of their brand showcase. It also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the John Michael Kohler arts Center’s Arts/Industry residency program.
It was a dream come true to showcase my work in Italy with so many other incredible talented people from around the world.
This was my third trip to the Kohler Factory to work. This project came about because of a larger project that will soon be unveiled at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
You can learn more about the evolution of this idea here!
“Sun Lodge” at Pierce College, Puyallup, WA With Preston Singletary
I visited Pilchuck Glass School for the first time with Preston Singletary on a rainy day in mid September 2020 during the pandemic. I was very excited to see this legendary glass blowing school. Visiting the school with Preston, who has been a part of Pilchuck, and the northwest contemporary glass community for decades, was an exciting prospect. The school was temporarily closed for covid so it was empty and quiet and the furnaces were cold.
We hiked up to the very top of the schools property to a meadow surrounded by evergreens. Near the top edge of the slope was a very simple structure made from bent boughs. Weathered, with bark peeling, this humble structure had a great impact on Preston’s life.
Preston’s experience as glass maker changed one summer when he was a Pilchuck with famed Nuu-chah-nulth artist Joe David. Joe built this simple sweat lodge structure to invite Preston and others to participate in a sweat during a school session. This turned out to be an experience that would shape Preston’s future and his relationship with his past. He began to incorporate and explore the stories, and imagery, of his Tlingit heritage into his work, and created an indigenous connection with glass that was something completely new and unique.
A few years later and a few years deeper into our collaboration, Preston was notified that he had received a commission at Pierce College in Puyallup, Washington from the Washington State Arts Commission. The commission was for a new STEM learning building on the Pierce College campus in Puyallup, WA. This Idea of science and math and multidisclipinary studies was an interesting challenge.
When discussing the project with Preston a lot of connections came to light. Insights from his funk musical inspirations born on waves of native futurism. Preston also wanted to reference indigenous intellectualism exhibited at sites like Chaco Canyon, where indigenous cosmology is on display through its ancient architecture. We wanted to make something that was active and uniquely related to our unique place in the solar system. We felt it should evoke both a scientific and multidisciplinary theme and indigenous values and expressions. This futuristic approach related to our past collaborations.
A simple structure inspired by the sweat lodge framework, made of green boughs laced together to make a simple structure, was the core of the idea. Finding a way to visualize our connection to the sun and seasons would activate the sculpture. I would also relate to sites like Chaco Canyon where these conspicuous alignments are monumentalized in art and architecture.
With a bit of research we discovered it would be possible to cast a predictable shadow at the summer solstice in mid June. If we could calculate that angle we could create something that would move with the seasons. It would also be uniquely tuned to work in its site specific location on the Pierce College campus.
Our idea was to create a simple framework with a glass sense suspended over a glass “fire pit”. It would be oriented in such a way that the Thunderbird image in the overhead glass lense would pass over the fire pit at the summer solstice. When the sun is out, the shadows of the Sun Lodge will travel daily from West to East. The shadow will lengthen toward the north as the year turns to winter. As summer approaches the Thunderbird’s shadow will move to the south and enter the lodge at mid day. Eventually, it will cross over the fire pit at the solstice.
The glass lens with the Thunderbird image is a ceramic printed piece of laminated glass. Using the latest glass printing technology. This method is a very colorfast and durable process. The glass fire pit stones were cast in by Preston’s Studio by Sean Albert.
The Thunderbird was chosen for the sun lens because of its connection to both Preston’s Tlingit heritage and the Salish stories of Preston’s adopted home. THunderbird’s famous ability to cover the sun with its wings and unleash lighting from its wingtips. This was the perfect creature to fly with the sun.
Preston often utilizes Raven Mythology old and new in his studio work. He currently has a traveling museum show Raven and the Box of Daylight. Abstract symbols of the story of Raven and the Box of Daylight are hidden within the sculptures structure for the keen observer.
When completing the installation it was interesting to observe the shadows slowly moving all day. It felt as if we had set something in motion, though what we are observing is our motion around the sun. Creating a space for this observation and also a place of rest and contemplation was our goal.
See you at Pierce College next summer solstice!
David Franklin and Preston Singletary
It has been a great honor to work with Preston Singletary to make “Raven’s Escape” for the new Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington. Preston is a great craftsmen, collaborator and friend. His work explores native modernism, and native futurism through his studio glasswork. He explores these themes with his native funk rock and jazz fusion band KHU.ÉEX’.
The Lumiere Group approached Preston to create an outdoor installation for the new Microsoft campus. This part of the campus is designed by Berger Associates and is constructed by Skanska.
Preston and I discussed the idea of a modernist series of totems for the campus. Themes of technology, light and ideas taking flight came to mind. Preston felt that Raven filled with light would be the perfect subject for the idea.
This totem carved many years ago for a client in Alaska became the basis for the concept. Groups of Ravens in flight above the forest thread pathways. We thought the Ravens could be modular and repeatable. They are able to be manipulated to give each Raven a unique pose. Together we designed a series of three poles, with each post having a different configuration of Ravens. The posts vary in height from 20 to 30 feet tall. The Ravens are lit from within, and are lined with cobalt blue Bullseye sheet glass.
In order build the Ravens I drew upon my airplane mechanic school airframe experience. I designed the interior of the birds to be like an airplane’s fuselage complete with ribs and bulkheads. Eleanor Reynolds, at RBHU engineers, helps make sure they are built to last.
A basic design led to making some chipboard laser cut parts. With these I built a scale model complete with lights.
The metalwork is all done at Specialty Metals. They have been a great partner on public art projects. The digital modeling was completed by Alec Burney at Neon Fab Studios. Most of he machines and programs used to cut the metal for the project run on Microsoft Windows technology.
The poles that the birds will be mounted on are fabricated and installed well before the Ravens. They needed to be integrated into the groundwork on site.
Once fabricated, Specialty Metals delivers the poles to the jobsite. A crow decided to land on the pole and perform an inspection.
Each Raven’s bodies are a welded assembly. The head and wings are bolted on for access to the interior lights and cleaning. The heads are designed to be rotated to different angles providing each raven with a unique pose. The Raven’s wings are bent to a variety of angles to give the look of natural flight.
Matt Gilman of Specialty metals is a true metal artisan. He has worked on several projects for myself and Preston and did a great job of welding and managing all the parts. This task is complex due to slight variations in the different birds. Ryan Gleason, Mike Gribble, and Mason Eddy helped make the project successful on the fabrication end at Specialty Metals.
Sean Albert from Preston’s studio, a great glass artist in his own right, is alway there to help me. We worked together for the final assembly and glass installation. Lance at Glass Strategies laminated and prepared the glass for water jet cutting at Specialty Metals.
Installation day had finally come to install “Raven’s Escape.” Thanks to the planning and support from Skanska, the Lumiere Group and Microsoft the installation went almost without a hitch. As we waited for a crane to arrive, our crow friend stopped by to witness the scene.
The installation was a big success thanks to everyone who supported and worked on the project. It is exciting to be a part of Microsoft’s new campus. Preston and I had a great experience working with all of our partners: Microsoft, RBHU, Neon Fab Studios, Skanska, Berger Partnership, Lumiere Group, Specialty Metals, Glass Strategies, Sean Albert and Matt Gilman. Thanks to our wives Joanne Franklin and Åsa Sandlund, and our families, for all their support in exploring what’s possible with our hands and imaginations.
You can learn more about our collaborative work here and here.
David Franklin
This is the working model for the facade of the Fire Station 21. Made by Kurt Nordquist at Davinci’s Workshop, my fabricator at the time. More about this project can be found here.
This is the leftover scrap of aluminum from building the preliminary model for the Fire Station.
Something about the graphic nature of this scrap seemed to have some potential. Several years later it resurfaced in my mind when Nine Dot Arts brought me this opportunity.
I was contacted by Nine Dot Art Consulting about designing art balconies for a new apartment complex. After attempting a few different approaches this piece of metal came to mind.
With Denise Joseph of Nine Dot Arts, we worked with Brad Machat and Peter van Overbeek of Quarterra. Together we designed the look of the balconies. They were to be fabricated by Advanced Ironworks in Redmond, Washington.
It would take a few versions before settling on the final medium and finish.
This mirror finished, stainless steel look was what was eventually settled on as perfect approach.
I made a half sized balcony model with he help of Joel Kikuchi at Oxbow Fabrication in Seattle.
Fabrication and final trouble shooting were next. There were several revisions to the graphics to get the panels just right. Finally, we were able to look at the first one, with its protective coating on. The design team met at Advanced ironworks and Peter van Overbeek got to be the first one to try out the balcony.
By late April 2023 the first few balconies had been installed. By the summer of 2023 all 16 balconies were be up at the beautiful Spectra Apartments near Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this project a reality.
David Franklin
celebrating 150 years at Kohler Co
I am working on a couple of exciting projects in the pottery at Kohler Co in Wisconsin this summer. It also happens to be the 150th anniversary of Kohler Co. In order to give Kohler associates, and their families, a glimpse of what we are doing in the pottery we set up a booth at the company picnic. I volunteered to demonstrate carving and Shari McWilliams had the brilliant idea of casting plaster miniature versions of a bluegill fish I carved. This would be a craft activity for kids and families. The project was meant to illustrate the work done in the Kohler pottery. The pottery’s mold makers made the molds for the plaster bluegill craft. It was great to see all of the departments in the pottery represented so well at the company picnic.
Making a plaster bluegill at the Kohler Company Picnic was an incredible, if not messy, success thanks to the help of some great volunteers and leadership by: Shari McWilliams who made it all possible, Todd Miske, Joanne Franklin and Melissa Hand who organizes the picnic.
My wife Joanne has been working hard in the pottery casting fish with me. She has also been having a crash course in ceramics and helping manage the projects too. This is quite the family project.
Learn more about my past experiences as a John Michael Kohler Arts/Industry resident can be found at my blog here It is an incredible program that can change your life. Apply here!
You can learn more about the making of The Arm of the Kraken here!
Something interesting emerged near the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal today. A 12′ tentacle was spotted near the Marler Clark Law Office on Bainbridge Island. It seems 2021 will be the year of the Kraken. This must be a sign that more interesting things are to come in the New Year.
In 2021, Seattle’s new Hockey team, the Seattle Kraken, debut at Climate Pledge Arena. Renowned Seattle glass artist, Preston Singletary and I are collaborating on a stainless steel and glass sculpture for the new arena campus. It will be installed as part of the arena project this year at Seattle’s iconic Seattle Center .
Two years ago, my neighbor Dan Hinkley, commissioned a series of carved “Guardians” for the entrance of Windcliff Nursery in Indianola WA. One of these took the form of a large carved tentacle. Similar in form to work I did in ceramics at the Kohler Factory in an Arts/industry residency almost ten years ago, these tentacles are on a much larger scale. Sculpturally, they are an exercise in form and fun.
The tentacle is located at the Marler Clark law office Near the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal. They are the nation’s leading firm in foodborne illness outbreaks. They work to make sure that the food we eat will be clean and safe to consume.
Making a “Guardian” for Marler Clark seemed like a prefect project for people in the business of guarding food safety for all of us.
For the near future we all have to be the guardians of one another in our community. When you are at the ferry terminal, enjoy the “Arm of the Kraken”, and remember the crucial work being done right here.
A second-growth red cedar log was chosen for the tentacle. The log was of size and weight that some help would be needed. My friend Spencer West of West Woodworking had the log, a little bobcat to move it around with, and a place to carve.
The log wast flattened on two sides so that the tentacle profile could be drawn.
The profile is cut out
The tentacle form is carved with facets
Facets are then rounded off.
Suckers are then roughed out.
Basic sculptural work is done with an electric chainsaw, electric power planer, and a Lancelot blade on a 4″ grinder
The tentacle is then refined by hand carving and texture adzing with a d-adze.
It is painted with exterior flat latex paint, it is applied as a series of washes with opaque details.
Bainbridge Island resident and artist Will Robinson helped us on installation day.
Thank you to Bill and Julie Marler, and the whole Marler Family
A very special thanks to: Eleanor Reynolds, Ryan McPhail Fluid Concrete and Design, Spencer and Elizabeth West, Will Robinson, and especially to Joanne, my awesome wife, and my great kids, Sarah, Mikel, and Ruby.