Public Art > Convergence













Convergence 2011
Fire Station #156 Public Art—24525 Copperhill Drive Santa Clarita, CA
Mosaic glass, marble, granite aggregrates--LithoMosaic, Lithocrete, fire glass, blue granite boulder, gas line
Initial inspiration came from spending a day with another local fire station. I saw the importance of a space in which they could relax within the stressful environment of the fire station.  I noticed that the grill and fire pit were natural spots of gathering when they had the opportunity to unwind.  I was amazed at the orchestration and coordination of all fire rescue personnel that would converge on the site of the emergency and how they effectively carried out their jobs. I noticed the almost attack-like nature in how they would battle the fire.
I drew further inspiration from the indigenous Live Coastal Oak tree from the area.  This particular tree is known to have an unusually thick outer bark that protects and sustains it through most destructive wildfires.  They have the ability to regenerate new large pieces of trunk, which gives their bodies a beautifully unusual shape and presence. Like the Coastal Oak, the Firefighter endures the many forces of nature.  The Live Coastal Oak is symbolic of the communities’ resilience amidst the constant threat of wildfires.
For L.A. Fire  #156 I created a more intimate space within the larger patio area offering a more meditative space. The circular layout would have a central focal point in the form of a fire pit.  The fire pit is created out of a solid blue granite boulder.  The negative space of the circular ground area would be created out of a mixture of rock and glass aggregate material with Lithocrete.  A Lithomosaic construction using colored glass and rock pieces will create four silhouetted Coastal Oak tree forms whose branches converge on the central fire pit.   The contrast of the positive and negative space also creates an organic version of a Maltese Cross and the topographical forms of the local land.

ConvergenceFire Station #156 Public Art—24525 Copperhill Drive Santa Clarita, CA
Initial inspiration came from spending a day with another local fire station. I saw the importance of a space in which they could relax within the stressful environment of the fire station.  I noticed that the grill and fire pit were natural spots of gathering when they had the opportunity to unwind.  I was amazed at the orchestration and coordination of all fire rescue personnel that would converge on the site of the emergency and how they effectively carried out their jobs. I noticed the almost attack-like nature in how they would battle the fire.
I drew further inspiration from the indigenous Live Coastal Oak tree from the area.  This particular tree is known to have an unusually thick outer bark that protects and sustains it through most destructive wildfires.  They have the ability to regenerate new large pieces of trunk, which gives their bodies a beautifully unusual shape and presence. Like the Coastal Oak, the Firefighter endures the many forces of nature.  The Live Coastal Oak is symbolic of the communities’ resilience amidst the constant threat of wildfires.
For L.A. Fire  #156 I created a more intimate space within the larger patio area offering a more meditative space. The circular layout would have a central focal point in the form of a fire pit.  The fire pit is created out of a solid blue granite boulder.  The negative space of the circular ground area would be created out of a mixture of rock and glass aggregate material with Lithocrete.  A Lithomosaic construction using colored glass and rock pieces will create four silhouetted Coastal Oak tree forms whose branches converge on the central fire pit.   The contrast of the positive and negative space also creates an organic version of a Maltese Cross and the topographical forms of the local land.