Dedication Sat May 12, 5:30

Since starting this project, the involvement of the neighboring businesses and neighbors has been encouraging and remarkable. When I first visited in 2007, the park was inhabited by some pretty nasty characters. And now, families and events fill the space continually. This park is an example of the kind of public space that we should create throughout the City, from whole blocks like this to tiny, special retreats. My contribution is a small part of a tremendous engagement by all sorts of people, from SMAC to CADA, to Hot Italian and all the terrific neighbors. If John Fremont is looking down, he'd be so pleased.

The vessels are installed.

 

My amazingly clever, hard working, and very strong crew installed both sculptures yesterday, giving up family time on a Sunday. 

Lifting the sculptures off the truck, across the lawn and onto the steel rod imbedded into the concrete foundation.

Now, bathed in sunshine and blue skies, they rest.

Two Friends of Fremont Park, Judy and Gerald, demonstrate the scale of the pieces.

Many thanks to Martine, Daniel, Abaldo and Prudencia Farias and crew of Farias Trucking.

The installation is in progress

Many thanks to Andy & Brian Wilson (father and son) and crew from Grand Sierra Concrete for an outstanding and timely job on the pad and foundations. Also terrific thanks to CADA and Marc de la Vergne for funding the pad. And a new thanks to the sandblasting crew.

Progress on pad installation.

CADA and the City have completed all steps in contracting for the pad installation. I am so thrilled. Hopefully, all will proceed as planned, for installation of the sculptures before the end of this month. Tick tock.

Inside Publications, January 2011

Deb Belt wrote a wonderful article on my project. My deepest appreciation. As of now, we're still waiting for the City to pour the pad. And waiting...

Pad design

The central design is referencing the quadrafoil in the center of the park, around the fountain. At this point, I've been waiting for the City to proceed with their red tape. The sculptures are sitting in the middle of my studio, ready for installation at any time.

The vessels are finished.

Last Tuesday, we had an informal "unveiling" of the sculptures. The Friends of Fremont Park, CADA, architect Peter Simon, City landscape architect, Roy Tatem, Suzy Vose & Lorrie Kempf from SMAC, Commissioner Naify and art docents came to the studio. It was really terrific to watch people respond, as they circled the vessels, discovering all the various elements. Everyone has their favorites. Elaine Corn moderated for questions. Too fun.

New detail of the recycled 100 year oldd pottery shards from the archeology dig at 9th & J.

Next I have to design the surface detail of the new pad which will be poured for placement in the Park.