DUNDAS DRIVING PARK PUBLIC ART COMPETITION PROJECT 2

Proposal Name: BEING Artist(s): Ted Fullerton

CONCEPT STATEMENT

The monolithic nature of this sculpture with its iconic shape of a door and archetypal inference makes an unconscious reference and access to the past, the relevance of the present and the possibilities for the future. It aligns the idea of time and memory, relative human engagement and presence with the notion of time and memory as an abstract. Its materiality, mainly consisting of steel, allows a direct regional reference while the figure stands proud and independent.

This sculpture/installation, Being will be comprised of a vertical steel monolithic shape and a cast bronze human form. Its intent is to create a recurrent symbol or motif that will act as an archetype or iconic inference that will imply or associate with the idea of relative memory and the enormity of a collective “memory” permitting aesthetic and conceptual relavance for generations to come. Its symbolic intent is to facilitate wonder and thought with an openness of considerations within the context of “pur-pose of place” (Dundas/Hamilton), person (self) and “the mystical” while creating a cohesive but considered aesthetic througout the Dundas Driving Park. The intent of this work is to engage the audience with an experience that will permit a breadth of collaborative memory that is also relative to their own experience, place and sense of being. This will be done by utilizing image and form that have symbolic, architypal and iconic connotations that are regional, universal and humanist. Surmounted on the top of the monolithic shape will be a figure that aligns the idea of time/history and memory with human engagement and presence. Placed at the foot and out from the vertical monolith directly under the bronze figure, front and back will be two laser cut steel words (history and memory) written in hand script to personalize that engage-ment. The word/text placed in front will be, history and at the back will have the word/ text, memory. This will allow a direct symbolic and personally relative reference to the notion of history is always in the making and memory exists within the past. The laser cut steel words, history and memory will be written in lower case letters to suggest an action (verb) not a thing (noun).

Placed within the context of the sculpture will be a bronze plaque that will name the sculpture and offer insight into its symbolic intent and relevance to place.

As a result this sculpture will take on a social connection within its aesthetic and breadth of interpretation allowing a “humanist” deliberation thus facilitating a work of art that has on going relevance. It will be and remain as a significant landmark, gate-way and place maker complimenting the park environment and the Leslie Drysdale and Sandor Monos, Racing Carousel sculpture that makes a direct, representational refer-ence to the Dundas Driving Park..

City of Hamilton Hamilton Dundas Driving Park Public Art Project 2 Competition Fullerton Pg 1 of 4

ELEVATION PLAN AND MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

Methodology and Materials: A structural engineer will verify all the structural aspects of this sculpture before starting. The figure for this sculpture will be created in the artist studio. It will then be cast into a polyester resin prototype that will then be cast in bronze with an oxidized green patina by the foundry. The steel monolith will be fabricated by certified welders along with the steel infrastructure required for the footing. The vertical steel plate will assume a natural reddish (rust) color through oxida-tion as a result of its exposure to the elements and will compliment the figure surmounted on top with its oxidized green patination. The base of the sculpture will sit below grade approxi-mately 15.24 cm (6”). The base of the steel monolith that will be secured to a concrete footing and approximately 15.24 cm (6”) up the vertical plate will have a water resistant epoxy paint ap-plied to resist and arrest oxidation. The two-laser cut words, history and memory will be welded to the steel base and also have a water-resistant epoxy applied to resist oxidation. The surface of the steel words will be visible at grass/grade level.

Transportation and Installation: All parties concerned will be informed in writing of the critical path for installation well in advance. Preparation of the site will be done prior to the delivery of the sculpture and secured with appropriate safety barriers. The concrete footing and support Sonotube for the didactic bronze plaque will be installed approximately three weeks before the delivery of the sculpture for installation. A qualified art transporter and installer will be utilized to transport the steel fabrication and cast bronze from the foundry and fabricator. The transporter (Wing-enback) is also an experienced installer and could assist the City if requested. A crane will be required for the installation with all appropriate permits acquired. The anticipated time for the installation would be 4 hours. The recommended procedure of installation, subject to consulta-tion, would be to lay the steel monolith on its side with the edge of the base positioned on the concrete footing where it will stand. The bronze figure with the two stainless steel pins at the feet will be inserted into the predrilled holes on the top of the 3.81cm (1.5”) steel plate and an-chored using a Hilti chemical anchor. The crane would hoist the upper part of the sculpture up to its balancing point then ease the sculpture down until the base is sitting on the concrete foot-ing. If required (to be confirmed by the structural engineer) steel fasteners will be installed se-curing the steel base to the concrete footing. Topsoil can now be placed on the base to ground level and grass sod installed. The bronze plaque naming the sculpture and offering insight into its conceptual intent will be placed and chemically anchored on a pre-poured Sonotube in proximity (right) to the sculpture. The artist’s studio assistants will assist in the installation and ensure pedestrian safety and proper safety procedures are adhered to.

Laser Cut Text (history and memory): The hand script text will be laser cut from 3.81cm (1.5”) steel 38.1cm (15”) L X 10.16cm (4”) W and welded to the steel base so the surface of the text will be at grade level. The text will be directly under the figure .76m (2.5’) out from the face of the steel plate (to the top of the text) and .30m (1’) in from the side

Elevation Plan

Laser Cut Text (history and memory):

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SITE DETAILS

Placement

The positioning of this sculpture will be at the entrance to the park at the meeting of the exit sideroad and the entry pathway. Its positioning in this area will allow maximized site lines from the main entrance of the park as well as the pedestrian path-ways in and out allowing an engagement with the work of art from all directions. Its vertical oblong shape will infer a door or passageway supporting its placement in the park and its symbolic inferance to history and memory. Its positioning within this area will allow a place that is contenplative from the mainly populated or people congested areas of the park allowing an intimate and personal engagement and experience. The monolithic scale and form of the sculpture will allow an engaged experience from a distance as well as encourage the viewer to go closer for a more direct experience. As a result the involve-ment will be complimented and expanded by the discovery of two words laser cut in steel and flush with the grass. The word history will be placed in front of the steel monolith and memory behind it approximately .76m (2.5’) from its base. As a result this point of discovery from either direction of the pathway will allow a breadth of experience and interpretation. The post-light that is positioned to the left of the sculpture further down along the curb side will allow an ambient lighting giving the sculpture presence after dark.

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MAQUETTE

Maquette

Concept Image in Context Concept Image in Context City of Hamilton Hamilton Dundas Driving Park Public Art Project 2 Competition Fullerton Pg 4 of 4