A Library shade structure conceived as a functional art piece and public artwork

After passing the City of Oklahoma City Arts Commission, I can publicly say that my sculptural shade proposal for the Capitol Hill Library, “Never Stop Dreaming, the Sky is the Limits…” was selected! This is a super exciting opportunity! As most of you know, playful concepts have been present in most of my creations. And now, I have the perfect chance to bring one more to life, entwined with a functional art piece to be enjoyed by the general community. I cannot say enough how much I love playful and functional public art!

PLAYFUL & WHIMSICAL DESIGN 

Color, light, and shadows play and fly to unfold a world of possibilities throughout a sculptural arrangement of recognizable origami airplane figures. They evoke movement, celebration, and action, bringing back good memories and emotions. This sculptural shade structure also reiterates the "more welcoming" (C.H. Guernsey Architects) feature sought in the recent Library renovation, evident in the relocation of its entrance.

This Arrowhead – Paper Airplanes' composition opens the wings to imagination, creativity, and a world of possibilities. And above all, it's a whimsical design that says between the lines, never stop dreaming; the sky is the limit…

PUBLIC ART FRAMEWORK

Libraries are the centers of new ideas and places to get lost in beautiful stories. At the same time, they provide a sense of place for each particular community. Today, as a Hispanic community center, the Capitol Hill District reflects a vibrant culture in its lifestyle and businesses. This unique characteristic also permeated its Library, serving as a foundation for a healthy community.

THE MUSE'S FLIGHT DIRECTIONS

Accordingly, I created a sculptural shade structure that brings together the story of the Library site, its function, and its community character. First, a design inspired by the flight of the first airplane in Oklahoma – an event that took place on the site back in 1910. Second, a symbolic representation of origami, a technique related to many different curricula, including "math, science, social science, art, language art, special education, and therapy." (Hull) Third, a composition that brings to life the spirit of the distinctive character of the large Latinx community presented in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Finally, a design that speaks to many young people who visit this Library daily.

Children who read

“Children who read can fly across the skies.
Their minds shine through their eyes like flashlights.
Buoyant, fantastic creatures
Of pearl-like teeth flashing a smile.
It is said that children who read can grow wings.”

By Mariana Llanos

Deepen into the inspiration!

I knew I wanted to work with an Origami metaphorical representation from the first moment. However, the last click was made when I read over the book Poesia Alada, written by the Peruvian and Oklahoma City-based children's books author Mariana Llanos. Once again, this poetry book took me to a world of fantasy. That night, while I read and moved between poems, my heart pounded with emotion, but when I reached the last verse, "Children Who Read," my tears soon came. It was a poem that sealed the idea, inspiring me to transform a simple paper airplane into an accelerated fantasy story that brought together everything I was looking for in a robust public art proposal. 

I don't have enough words to thank Mariana, who generously adapted this poem from Spanish to English so that I could use it to support my concept before the Selection Committee. NOTE: To read the entire poem, click here. Enjoy it!!! 

I can’t wait to start transforming this model into reality!

bibliographic references

[EVOLVE] Sculptural Bike Rack: Functional art and public art piece to be used by the general community

When it comes to creating functional artwork, I am the first to raise my hand! Since the start of my design and art career, I have been producing works of art with interactive qualities, in which aesthetics, functionality, and the improvement of human well-being fuse to create pieces that bring art and life together. In this quest, I have crafted various functional art pieces. But for me, one of the art forms that reaches people across a broad spectrum (both art and non-art devotees) is through the implementation of functional public art. And this project is not an exception!

[EVOLVE] is a functional and sculptural/aesthetic public art bikerack group that seeks to enhance the historic Classen Ten Penn neighborhood's identity, unique values, and multicultural character, which have been growing for centuries. Specifically, the growing cubes of [EVOLVE] will be one more “brick” in McKinley Park to build and reinforce the sense of place in this community.

A contemporary geometric design combines freshness with a pleasing sense of rhythm, intending to transmit this community's evolution and growth since the early 1900s.

Seeing Oklahoma City communities implement this initiative, as the Classen Ten Penn (CTP) Neighborhood Association, is inspiring. However, it’s essential to note that this initiative was viable through its partnership with Current Studio and the support of the City of Oklahoma City’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, and, last but not least, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC), which awarded me the Creative Project Grant this past January 2018. The grant will also serve as a fund to bring [EVOLVE] to life.

[EVOLVE] is a complete celebration of this community’s character; a community that is constantly developing new ideas but celebrates and honors its past, its present, and its future.