New Public Art Pops Up Around Scottsdale

Scottsdale Public Art announces the recent completion of four public artworks, including a custom terrazzo floor design in a new fire station in north Scottsdale and three temporary public artworks throughout south Scottsdale as part of the IN FLUX program.

Scottsdale Public Art commissioned the work of artists Nancy McIntosh, Daniel Moore and Rossitza Todorova for the Scottsdale installations, which will remain on display through spring 2019 as part of IN FLUX Cycle 7.

IN FLUX brings together art, economic development, and property management organizations throughout the greater Phoenix area to provide opportunities for Arizona artists to create site-specific temporary public art installations in a wide variety of locations.

Mosaic Mountains by McIntosh was installed on a plinth at the corner of Scottsdale Road and Oak Street in November 2017 and was followed by the three Ellipses panels by Moore at Miller Plaza (Indian School and Miller roads) in May of this year. Pyramid III by Todorova was installed on a plinth at Scottsdale Road and Roosevelt Street in June.

McIntosh's Mosaic Mountains comprises two steel-framed spires, each holding various shades of colorful mosaic glass. Solar panels are attached to the top of each spire to absorb energy from the sun, which is used to power floodlights in the base of each spire, giving the installation a soft glow at night.

"Living in Arizona, I am inspired by the color, pattern and design of the desert," said McIntosh, of Scottsdale. "Studying and observing my surroundings keeps me thinking up new patterns, designs and shapes for sculptures and other steel structures."

Ellipses is a series of three monolithic, 8-foot-tall steel panels that represent the fundamental physical relationship between objects and space. The three individual pieces contain a series of orbital curves, and the path of each Ellipse corresponds with the adjacent panels, suggesting the invisible connections between them.

"My interest in science, specifically astronomy and physics, has fueled my desire to represent this phenomenon in a static installation, which reflects the relationship between objects in space and the gravitational and electromagnetic effect they have on one another," said Moore, who lives in Phoenix. "The attraction of objects to one another saturates our existence on physical, biological, social and emotional levels."

Pyramid III is a stainless steel sculpture, featuring simple linear geometry in the shape of stacked pyramids. Based on the ancient symbol of a pyramid, rising from the desert to the heavens, Todorova has created a new symbol that points up, down and internally. These three pyramids also reference an hourglass, capturing the movement of time, as well as the cut lines of a gemstone, symbolizing wealth and power.

"I am thrilled to have my first public artwork on display," said Todorova, who recently moved from Phoenix to Reno, Nevada. "This IN FLUX project has given me the tools and confidence to work in public art - something I am looking to do more of in the near future."

The two plinths that support Mosaic Mountains and Pyramid III were created in 2010 as part of a Scottsdale Road streetscape improvement project. They were designed specifically for temporary art installations. The exhibition of Ellipses at Miller Plaza was made possible through a partnership with Jakosky Properties, which owns the plaza.

IN FLUX demonstrates a holistic approach to temporary public art projects through a showcase of Arizona artists presented within the context of viewing the Valley as one community. The program provides unique project opportunities for artists to expand their skills, innovatively apply their creativity and garner public recognition for their work. IN FLUX offers new perspectives on the connections between community organizations, city governments, local businesses, artists and audiences.

The Scottsdale Public Art-commissioned project at Fire Station 613, near the intersection of Jomax and Hayden roads, includes a custom terrazzo design and glass enhancement by artists Daniel Martin Diaz and Amelia Poe, of Tucson. Titled A Path In The Sun, the terrazzo design is incorporated into 270 square feet of floorspace in the lobby and the entry corridor, where the glass enhancements will soon beautify the windows.

Terrazzo is a composite material that uses metal strips to divide the components into sections, creating patterns and designs. Among the most famous terrazzo designs is the "star-studded" Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Diaz and Poe's A Path In The Sun is embedded with native stone, recycled glass and mother of pearl. Its path is meant to reflect the path of service chosen by the first responders who work out of the fire station while the vibrant colors symbolize the passion and care that the first responders give to the community.

According to an artist statement by Diaz and Poe, various elements of the design are symbols of protection for both civilian populations and natural populations within the environment. Other designs, in both the path and the glass enhancements, represent beauty, strength, wisdom and life.

"Our goal as artists was to celebrate this special 'calling' of these heroes among us through beautiful works of art that will enhance their environment and give them a sense of pride in the sacrifices they make on a daily basis for the well-being of the community," Diaz and Poe said in their artist statement.

The flooring was finished in June and the glasswork is expected to be completed this month.

The mission of Scottsdale Public Art is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout. In 1985, the City of Scottsdale established Scottsdale Public Art with the goal to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Since then more than 100 permanent and temporary public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community. Scottsdale's program and projects have won local, regional and national awards.

Through its dynamic partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational and outreach opportunities for the community, while fostering active engagement of individuals, businesses, education and government with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three operating divisions - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art - serving more than 375,000 participants annually.

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