Dan Garland has been awarded the commission for art for the Ed Benedict skate plaza. Dan is a skater as well as an artist: Here is how he describes the project:
Basically, I wanted to create an installation that speaks to the interface between man and nature and point towards balance as a solution. I wanted to create something using the bold, iconic visual language that is such a part of the skate culture and give skaters something fun to skate but also pique their interest in what this giant symbol stood for. To have an element of discovery that can play out in skaters interaction with the plaza as many of them will spend so much time there.
Tread Lightly, the TL and the raindrop shape are the main components of the piece. Dan also presented some supporting ideas:
Here’s some background on the Percent for Art program from the Oregon Arts Commission website
The Percent for Art legislation, passed in 1975, guides the acquisition of Oregon’s State Art Collection which includes more than 2,500 original art works. From Astoria to Agness, Baker City to Milton-Freewater, Bend to Klamath Falls, state buildings and public spaces host permanent reminders of the breadth, variety and aesthetics of our history, environment, people, and changing concerns.
In this case as at Pier Park, the art funds from multiple public projects are being combined at one site to allow a more substantial art project to be created. Dan will be working with the skatepark contractor to build the piece.
21 comments
D.T.
Yea JAY BRING IT TO THe table! Thanksgiving table. Ready for a rainy day project??
Tom Miller
identified in the request for proposals.
Jaymeer
GLad a skateboarder got it.
Congradulations Dan.
Artists that skateboard, if you think about it, are the only practical ones that can really design highly functionable skateboardable artwork.
Yeah 2% or 3 G would of got a trashcan to ollie over, and a place for Oscar the grouch to chill, maby.
Funny how 20 G doesn’t really go very far either, these days.
My concepts are way over budget, but stunning.
Hopefully I ll get the bigger contract someday, at the bigger park, for a monumental skateboardable artwork in the future.
Or at least make it to the concept phase, so everyone could see what I want to bring to the table.
Gnar.
bobcat
i dont listen to that NPR propaganda – no amount of tinfoil hattery can protect brains from turning to mush after a mornings earful. Look at Chad – he listens to so much he can’t even finish a sentence without gobbledy-gook.
I photoshoppyeried my artists rendition of a skate troll feature here:
http://www.sleestak.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2827
LULS RFC OMGLOLWTFBBQ!
enemy combatant
“I like the idea of a skate troll.”
I trying to do my best!
Kilwag
Hmm.. you must have been listening to that NPR news item about all the toll roads coming to Washington.
I like the idea of a skate troll.
bobcat
back to the subject at hand, i’m trying to figure out how deep of a foxhole i could dig in the hole. maybe just put a trash can in and live like Oscar the Grouch. perhaps even construct a troll bridge and sign and grab peoples board as they cross over unless a toll is paid.
I’m talking big money, people. toll features are going to be the new hotness. $1 to ride this bank young man, put the money in my hand.
smelly=mcgee
Every time an artist speaks their vision I get a warm fuzzy feeling and then I pee my pants.
bobcat
O RLY
Kilwag
Come on, what’s the BFD?
American Dissident
TLA too much for me. (Three Letter Acronym). Over your lifetime you could save hundreds of letters of typing!
bobcat
what the hell are you talking about tom? ID in the RFC to the PYT LOL BBQ?
Welsh Pete
Nice concept. Dig it.
Concretin
That is awesome.
Tom Miller
Also, it should be noted that since it’s a percentage, if the Ed Benedict project (and budget) grows beyond the $300,000 ID’ed in the RFP, the Percent for Art grows as well.
Tom Miller
Rad. Glad Dan got the job. Good guy and has always been down to support the cause.
FYI for the geeks out there, Percent for Art is a city program. In short, CIty of Portland code requires that 2% of total capital budget go public art. Typically its intention is to complement that capital investment that generated the art contribution in the first place. Sometimes the administrator, RACC (Regional Arts and Cultural Council) pools Percent for Art from multiple projects. For instance, the Pier sidewalk was installed with Percent for Art dollars from the City’s contribution to both Pier and Glenhaven. That’s why there is no concommitant art installation at Glenhaven. (The Jay Meer pieces were funded with alternative sources.)
bobcat
very cool, but i already see a place to hide trash
Estes
Brilliant!
bk
Dan’s creative approach and design to these Percent for Art ideas is awesome. It’s great to see fully skateable installations with meaningful thought behind them.
enemy combatant
Very creative and goes well with the overall design. This park could be epic.
jf
I think it’s pretty cool and original.