 |
||||||
|
> Home > Government > News & Public Notices > 2011 News Stories > Auburn's Renovated City Hall Plaza Includes New Public Art Installation
Auburn's Renovated City Hall Plaza Includes New Public Art InstallationContact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2011 AUBURN, Wash. – March 1, 2011 - The City of Auburn installed as part of the City Hall Plaza renovation project two artwork lights that will frame and illuminate the new plaza. Designed and fabricated by artist Sheila Klein, the fiber optic lanterns provide a striking entrance to the core of Downtown Auburn. The fiber optic sculpture is soft, light and airy that is an exaggerated form of the City light standard. Six feet in height atop a 24-foot pole, with a finial on top of the lantern, the goals for the artwork were to provide a gateway, feel monumental but allow for clear sightlines, crisp and contemporary feel, unique to Auburn, and illuminate the area. The fiber-optic strands run through stainless steel rings to create the curve of the shape. The finial and base are both hand fabricated that are inspired by design elements from the Northern Clay Company. "It is a contemporary interpretation of a rich history" notes Arts Commissioner Greg Watson. The fiber optics themselves are extremely energy efficient. The dedication and naming will be scheduled alongside the dedication of the Plaza estimated to be scheduled in April. Over the past 25 years, Klein has completed numerous public art projects and had many exhibitions of her artwork. Residing in Bow, Washington, Sheila Klein creates artworks that respond to site and that use resources wisely to bring amazement and delight. Sheila strives to maintain authenticity and appropriateness, and is especially interested in sites where people interact, pass through, or gather. Locally, Sheila Klein created the Gateways, Standards, Memory Pins, Kent Regional Justice Center, Kent, Washington in 1997 and Sky Within, Link Light Rail McClellan Station in Seattle. A seven-member committee of citizens, artists and arts commissioners selected the artist with the goal of creating a prominent artwork that will welcome visitors to City Hall. The selection panel chose Sheila as the artist because of her contemporary, clean and contemporary aesthetic, and her experience with lighting projects. The civic setting along with the variety of individuals that visit the City Hall was essential in the progression from initial concept to completed sculpture. This public artwork will be latest additions to Auburn's collection of public art, now at more than 20 locations throughout the city, including artwork at the Auburn King County Library, Pioneer Cemetery, Game Farm Park and Brannan Park's skate park. Recognizing that public art plays an important role in civic revitalization and neighborhood development. The Auburn Arts Commission created its Art in Public Places program in 1988 and commissions new work to enhance the city's parks, streetscapes, infrastructure and civic institutions. The Art in Public Places program is managed by the Auburn Arts Commission and Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation. For information on this and other public art in Auburn, visit www.auburnwa.gov/arts or call 253-931-3043 to receive a Public Art Brochure. # # # City of Auburn Arts Commission |
CONTACTAuburn City Hall
RelatedDirections to City Hall Stay Connected
|
|||||
