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Description:
This rest
stop is 60 feet wide x 16 feet deep. Railing panels filled with
woven steel mesh are found along the rest stop. The images of
cattail leaves and silhouettes of indigenous birds in flight are
welded and cut into these mesh panels. These silhouettes along with
the cattail leaf forms help to tie the steel railing and seating
areas to the surrounding habitat and enhance the environmental and
aesthetic value of the Rio Salado/ Town Lake. Originally the artwork
was called Cattail Rails, but it has been changed because the wash
where the cattails were growing has been transformed into the
marina.
Funding:
This
project was funded through Tempe’s Municipal Arts Fund with
additional funding from the Arizona Heritage Fund.
Artist
biography:
Laurie Lundquist is a nationally known artist who resides in
Tempe. She has been active in the local community since receiving a
Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Arizona State University.
Since then, she has been prolific with the creation of many
important local public art projects. She has exhibited both
nationally and internationally and has received numerous awards and
grants for her work including multiple Valley Forward Design
Excellence awards, NEA initiative grants, and a Tempe Beautification
Award.
Artist statement:
The
silhouette of a Cooper’s hawk in flight prompts visitors to look for
the wildlife visible from this seating area. As a member of the
Moore/Swick design team, I participated fully in the layout and
design detailing of the two mile long path. Images of the native and
endangered species that once inhabited the area are integrated into
the design. |
