Tuesday, September 30, 2008

When we come to it.

I once suggested to the senior editor that we should paint the Sherman Minton Bridge bright blue to signify entry into special space. Belgian designer Arne Quinze took that idea to its logical conclusion at the Idea Festival last week, suggesting that a bridge be special space.

His proposal for the (hopefully) soon-to-be-pedestrian Big Four Bridge includes a cloud of wooden planks to filter the light like a forest, a historic timeline, and solar powered music and lights.

It's a big idea, he said, and now it's up to us-- as is its complementary bookend at the end of Vincennes Street. We should start squatting now.






* Renderings by Studio Arne Quinze
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5 comments:

  1. G Coyle10:01 AM

    Whoa, who wrapped a piece of bacon around the bridge?!

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  2. G Coyle10:02 AM

    I mean...maybe a nice color scheme for starters, but love the concept of using the bridge for art.

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  3. Karen Gillenwater12:07 PM

    Be sure to check out his other installations on his website, particularly “Cityscape, Brussels” and “Rebirth, Paris.” His works have brought a sense of community to derelict spaces and created excitement for art and creative expression.

    His talk was fabulous—with themes of community, exploration, fostering creativity and discussion of our interactions with space recurring throughout. Without that as a focus, he brought up many things that we need in our community in downtown New Albany. It made me think of how similar in needs all communities and individuals are.

    In speaking with him afterwards, I expressed enthusiasm for the installation’s proposed location on the bridge rather than on Louisville’s waterfront. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see him do an installation anywhere here, but the bridge location has a more inclusive nature for us and recognizes the relationship between Southern Indiana and Louisville. And, he totally gets that. He talked about the two communities as one and the flow between them. All in all I was very impressed and enjoyed hearing him speak and talking with him individually. We need to have Southern Indiana support for this project to make it a reality!

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  4. Christopher D12:28 PM

    I am all for art, but this seems to be a little to over powering and distracting.

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  5. Highwayman10:31 PM

    Speaking of walking across bridges, I recently heard that our former Mayor Regina has been appointed to the Greenway Project.

    Hopefully she will not be shy abouttaking on the Railroad Execs!

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