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click HERE for second view of the pathWAVE.

formLAB feature project
 

PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

The pathWAVE is an intersection of lines, of influences, and of forms bisecting words and ideas. It takes its cue from the histories of the peoples who have traversed these paths, from the identities of those within the community and from the idea of community itself. We propose to construct a sculpture at the convergence of pathways within the public space between the Wave Pool and the Arena of the Newton Recreation Centre. There will be three short pathways in concrete, inset with words and images specific to on each of the following: history, community, identity. Our proposal involves meeting with the community, especially the youth of the area, and helping them research the history of Newton, the different groups who have gathered here over the years, their contributions to the area, and also allowing the participants to explore their own stories. We will meet weekly over a period of several months either at the Newton Rec Centre, or at the Newton Public Library to do this research, and give the participant a chance to explore the meanings of the concepts history, community, identity, and to bring in pieces of their own personal histories to add to the collage/ideography. Once we have chosen the images and words, we will build the forms to pour the concrete and inlay the graphics, as well as a foundation for the sculpture. The main sculpture itself will be a steel wave form, to echo the idea of how the tides of history create the waves of change.


This project relates to both of our interests in environment, spatial design and cultural meaning within sites that change through time. Derek's background is architecture, graduated from UBC, with a strong interest in public space, and how art can activate and engage a community. His work at Parkgate skatepark in North Vancouver speaks to this - he collaborated with a local young artist to create a series of ledges inset with the phrase 'konkrete freedom', referencing both the creative flexibility of skateboarding and the visual scope of graffiti culture. He strives to include youth in community projects, and engage them at their own level. Kim's background is as a visual artist, graduated from Concordia University, and a communications and media producer, having worked in video, web/graphic design, and sculpture. She is currently finishing a public project on girls skateboarding and filmmaking, and creating a documentary about the project. She is interested in interconnecting with the community in order to come together and understand their diverse influences and find the convergence points. Both Derek and Kim spent several years working with the youth volunteer organization the Vancouver Skatepark Coalition, as well as co-authoring several design projects prior to this.

"We feel this project fulfills the needs of connecting with the community, both by helping the participants research the histories of Newton, but also by helping them find their stories and their voices within the larger collective of the neighbourhood, and see the commonalities and diversities etched in concrete. By using their words, and the images they select, we will build a sense of cooperative proprietorship between the group and the project. Newton is a divergent community, and an deeper understanding of cultural backgrounds can only help build bonds within the neighbourhood, from the original residents to the many groups who have passed through or stayed in the area. As artists, we both feel a responsibility to respect and encourage the input of the community participants, to maintain both the artistic and structural integrity of the piece, and to guide the vision of work to achieve satisfactory results for all involved."

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The pathWAVE is composed of 2 parts - the pathways themselves and the steel wave where the paths join. The three short concrete pathways will be either inset in the present brick paths, which would require removing some of the bricks for the access to the wave sculpture, or insetting the sculpture on one of the grassy areas close to the suggested pathway. Each path will have a separate theme: history, community, identity. For each of these concepts, words and images will be inset within the concrete, and budget allowing we may take the phrases and images up part of the steel wave as well as on the concrete pathways. Both Derek and Kim have experience with sculpture through previous works (both were involved to building the formwork for the concrete/granite ledges of Wordplay, Derek's piece in Deep Cove, both have previous furniture and small scale steel/welding experience - Derek in architecture school, Kim in art school, and both have had experience pouring concrete (Deep Cove project again.)) The materials chosen (concrete + steel) are both durable and weather resistant and will hold up to use. Any concerns about sharp corners will be addressed (we will be sure that the sculpture meets any requirements the community may have concerns about.) The steel will be designed by Derek and Kim, with consultation from the community, and for safety and practical reasons will be fabricated off site. The concrete mosaic can be created on site with full community participation.

PHASE ONE

The project will begin with a series of posters advertising for participation, especially from local youth; we will hope to have the assistance and cooperation of the Newton Recreation Centre for this (putting up posters, suggesting what youth groups may be interested, etc.) We will then begin a 4-6 week idea development, and research phase, with weekly meetings, and visits to the Newton LIbrary for more in depth research, asking participants to find relevant information about Newton's history, and their own. We will arrange a protoype in paper at scale, of the graphic collage with the community participants to help visualize the final product (possibly to be on display for a short period in one of the rooms of the Rec Centre) before moving onto the next phase.

PHASE TWO

Once the design has been established with the community, we (with the participants) will begin making the negative images of the word/image collage (done with a casting resin material), and will build the simple formwork for the concrete pathways, and preparing the foundation for the sculpture. The sculpture will be designed with community consultation, designed in Vectorworks (a computer assisted design program for drafting), and will be made offsite at a steel fabricators (most likely either Aqua-Shear or Sund Design Studios, whom we have used as consultants previously)

PHASE THREE

Once the formwork has been prepared, and the collage negatives are ready, we will pour the concrete and set the molds. Once set, the pathWAVE sculpture can be delivered to the site and the project will be complete.

BUDGET
Materials:
paths:
formwork $1300
concrete $2400
resin $425
sculpture:
steel $9200
delivery $300
contingency (5%) $1000
artists fees $5500
extras:
insurance $800
posters $25
pop/snacks $50
TOTAL: $20000

CURRICULUM VITAE

Please see attached resume files for Derek De Land, BSC, BArch and Kim Glennie, BA, BFA.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION

Please see attached images of similar works.
Physical portfolio is also available to view, on request.

SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION - list of images

Proposed sculptures for Georgia Viaduct Public Art - pending
1curved_needle.jpg
2sundial.jpg
8curvd_intrscn.jpg

Built interior - Calgary restaurant
cyberchoicecafe.jpg

Built - Deep Cove Public Art
parkgate.jpg

Built interior - Calgary restaurant
purpleturtlebar.jpg
purpleturtlerestaurant.jpg

Proposed sculptures for Gastown Festival Stage - spaceagency.ca - pending
skage1.jpg
skage2.jpg

Proposed sculptures for Victory Square public art
swissarmy.jpg

 
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