Forces of Nature: Blue Skies, Slinkys, and Hurricanes, 2020
Houston Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas
the Houston Heights Association sculpture project True North 2020
March 15 - December 7, 2020
Forces of Nature: Blue Skies, Slinkys, and Hurricanes, 2020
Dimensions: three sculptures with the largest 18in x 72in x 72in
Media: steel, blue PEX tubing, hardware, and artificial grass
Thanks to the curators of the Houston Heights sculpture series True North 2020, I returned to the Forces of Nature sculptures and developed an updated blue skies version. These were installed two weeks before state-wide stay-at-home orders were implemented. These unusual benches with calm grassy centers at the eye of each storm provided the community of Houston Heights with opportunities to see art and to gather safely.
Inspired by diagrams of hurricane development and the spring movement of the “wonderful toy” Slinky (as the longest-running jingle in advertising history so memorably describes it), this delightful installation features three circular forms that appear to be large Slinkys connected at the ends into rings and circling perfectly-maintained “lawns” of artificial grass.
Reminiscent of inner tubes easing down a lazy river or bean bags in a living room, these sculptures provide playful, unusual benches with calm grassy centers at the eye of each storm.
TRUE NORTH MISSION STATEMENT—
“True North’s mission is to organize an outdoor public exhibition on the esplanade of Heights Boulevard — representative of regional works of contemporary art — for the enjoyment of our community and visitors and to advance the understanding and appreciation of art. “
The project took root in 2013 when Gus Kopriva, owner of Redbud Gallery and luminary in the local, national and international art scene, met with Chris Silkwood, an artist, well-known community advocate and former HHA President, and other community leaders to discuss his vision to expand the placement of public art pieces on sites throughout the City and particularly along the esplanade of Heights Boulevard. That vision soon became True North, a Heights Boulevard sculpture project. Kopriva says, “Art adds an economic value to the area through inward investment and tourism and fosters civic pride, confidence and quality of life.”
Glasstire Top Five
April 16, 2020
“Public Art You Can See From Your Car”
Christina Rees and Brandon Zech give you some hot tips on art you can still actually GO see.
“If you’re out driving around, you can take a swing by these and not even necessarily get out of your car to see them.”