River Constellation
River Constellation, 2019
Permanent Site-Responsive, Multi-Media Public Sculpture w/ Composer, Beau Kenyon
Commissioned by Water Works Park Foundation, Des Moines, IA
Presented by The Kyle and Sharon Krause Family Foundation
Wander through River Constellation, a site-responsive star-map of illuminated orbs that trace the line of the Racoon River. Reminiscent of swaying trees or a slowly flowing river, the light of the 200 + globes gently pulse from pole to pole. The poles simultaneously emit a 19-hour sound installation -- a music composition recorded by local musicians weaving almost imperceptible moments of soft bird sounds into richly layered compositions of vocals. The light, form, and sound ebb and flow, reconfiguring to create different experiences with each visit -- contemplative, solitary yet connective, and a feeling of intimacy within vastness. Planted like a thicket of trees, each of the 45 poles grows out of a foundation of stacked rings bearing the names of community members whose donations directly support the park. Meander, pause, and be enveloped in the intimate, soft light and sounds of River Constellation.
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Materials:
Sculpture: Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate Globes, Plastic Flutes, LED Lights, Feonic Speakers
Sound: Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Violin, Cello, Bb Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trombone, Piano, Birdsong
Fabrication: JunoWorks
Light & Sound Design: Dispersion
PRESS for
River Constellation
Walk through River Constellation in the Rain (Video by: Group Creatives)
River Constellation @ Night with Sound! (Video by: Beau Kenyon)