CREATING LIFE AND BEAUTY OUT OF BARRENNESS

The design of this project symbolizes the return of color, activity and life in its original home. An old quarry that was stripped of organic material is now a public park with a series of benches that rise from the ground. Inspired by the scientific concept of succession (the process by which communities are established, develop and change in ecosystems), the sculptural shapes enrich the environment and bring it back to life.

Eight curving benches, which provide visual interest, are connected by twelve ornamental clusters, strung like gems across the park. Signature mosaic swirls on the surface of the benches represent lichen, the hardy pioneer species that first rise from barren ground. The patterns are connected by sparkling glass-seeded veins in the concrete. Light shines through the holes in the fronds and through the circular glass slabs, creating an effect of colors shifting and refracting like gems in the sunlight. A thousand years of evolution are evoked in this concept -- making the sculptural benches a signature decoration in the park.

The benches were built on-site. I did, however, first create a bench in my studio, because I was implementing a new process for the construction. It was important to me to test that process before ‘going live’. I still have that bench on the grounds of my studio — an exact replica of one that I later built at The Rim.

Working with a carpenter crew, we built bench forms out of wood, enclosing my welded steel armatures with pieces of Dalle de Verre glass, mesh and steel. After the forms were constructed, we poured a special concrete mixed with fiberglass and additives. I used a concrete crew and heavy equipment to help me with the mixing, transport, and filling of the forms.

The last step in the process was the mortar and mosaic tiling. All told, this project took about 4 months to complete.