This summer has offered an amazing art-making opportunity, and with last night’s dedication I can finally share the results! For the last ten years, ArtWorks has partnered with Duke Energy Convention Center to curate a growing gallery of art installations, featuring Cincinnati artists. Each piece at DECC reflects the spirit of the city, and showcases the talent we have here in Cincinnati. I was honored to be given the chance to design a sculpture for the window alcove by the Grand Ballroom. (Which is just behind the letter “A” in the large Cincinnati sign seen on the west side of the building!) This was the 14th art piece added to DECC with the partnership of ArtWorks.
With the help of four amazing ArtWorks apprentices, we spent the summer cutting, folding, and stringing about 11,000 paper circles to create this hanging sculpture. The flow of the piece mimics the undulating curves of the Ohio River along the Ohio/Kentucky border. The origami technique creates lines which reference the design of the iconic Music Hall rose window. Every circular piece represents the many lives and stories of the people who have built the spirit of Cincinnati over multiple generations. Each one contributes to the overall beauty and strength of the region, making Cincinnati the diverse and storied city it is.
The title, “Confluence” comes from a Latin word that means “to flow together” and is usually used to describe the point where two rivers merge. We thought the word was representative of the sculpture's subject matter and shape - many little individual pieces flowing together in this massive, meandering swarm.
I am so humbled to have been given this opportunity by ArtWorks, and the folks at Duke Energy Convention Center for putting trust my vision for this piece. It has been an awesome experience, and definitely a high point in my career as an artist.
