Mike Clapper

You Might Recognize:

"Birth of the NFL" in Canton, Ohio - "Community" in Fremont, California - "Beacon of the Sentinels" in Pendleton, Oregon - "Mining Minds" in El Paso, Texas - "Sentinel"

Public Art Average Success Rate:

Probably around 5%

 Rejected Project Proposal

Proposed Project Location:

I-25 and Dillon St. bridge just north of Pueblo, CO

Concept:

Narrative for the proposed sculpture

“Origins -Gateway to the South West”

My intent for the site in Pueblo was to create an iconic pair of sculptures that honor the Southwest and the City of Pueblo by using three distinct metaphors.

The first metaphor was the overall form of the twin sculptures. They would have referenced a pair of modernist Yucca plants that are in bloom. Yuccas are found throughout the Southwest, and when in bloom, exhibit clusters of beautiful blossoms. In this case, the twin sculptures will have acted as a metaphor for the origins of life in the harsh environment of the Southwest.

The second metaphor involves the blossom clusters. Acting as seed pods for origins of human life and culture, they would have taken the form and pattern of Native American baskets and pottery that are distinct to the region. Each “blossom/basket” would have been lit from within so they would have exhibited a glow during the night. This would have given the blossom clusters on the Yuccas a beautiful, ethereal feel as one saw them from a distance.

The third metaphor was meant to honor the City of Pueblo as a steel town. To accomplish this, the bottom, or leaf portion of the sculpture, would have been made from steel I-Beams that were designed to spiral around counter clockwise. This would have created a beautiful, contemporary form, and also would have followed the directional flow of traffic of the roundabout.

The pair of sculptures were to be made from stainless steel, custom perforated, patterned and painted aluminum spheres and pre-rusted steel I-Beams. The sculptures were to be lit from within each of the blossom clusters, as well as from underneath, inside and from outside of the steel I-Beam structure.

Each of the sculptures would have stood 40’ to 43’ tall by 20’ to 22’ wide by 20’ to 22’ deep. It was my hope that this pair of sculptures of timeless form and site related symbolism would have been viewed as icons that honor the origins of the Southwest, the Native Americans that first inhabited the region and the City of Pueblo.

"I Regret to Inform You..." Artist Response:

All rejections are a little tough. But as a public artist, one has to have a very thick skin, and has to develop the ability to move on fairly quickly. Although this one was particularly hard as it was in a very prominent location along a major Interstate Highway.

Additional Thoughts:

Even with all the rejections I've experienced as a public artist, the thrill of having been able to earn a living for over 23 years by creating over 37 public art projects around the country has certainly made it worthwhile. There's nothing quite like creating a work of art for people that make them feel proud of their community.