EXPANDING VISIONS
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, LIBRARY COMMONS, SPRINGFIELD, IL - IN PROGRESS
Standing eight feet high, Expanding Visions consists of two 17’ and 20’ wavelike forms of weathering Corten steel. Each one is intricately laser-cut with words and symbols gathered from the UIS student body. It captures the spirit and energy of the University and the welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic environment that is cultivated at the UIS campus. Two foot seats duplicate the negative space in the two Corten plates and reinforce the forward motion of a journey.
The light and shadow that moves through and around Expanding Visions is a major component of the sculpture. Sited to take advantage of the sun’s arc, shadows will shift from East to West highlighting different words and symbols and revealing new patterns at various times of the day.
The human scale of Expanding Visions is deliberate. It invites discovery and interaction, and its concept of student engagement and discourse connects to the mission and values of the University.
The negative space in the outline of the foot that Expanding Visions encloses is an invitation to the viewer to project her/his own vision and ideas, both literally and metaphorically. Standing in that space the viewer ‘s cast shadow becomes an active part of the sculpture.
Expanding Visions combines extraordinary design with a compelling community engagement process that makes student voice the conceptual underpinning of the sculpture.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, LIBRARY COMMONS, SPRINGFIELD, IL - IN PROGRESS
Standing eight feet high, Expanding Visions consists of two 17’ and 20’ wavelike forms of weathering Corten steel. Each one is intricately laser-cut with words and symbols gathered from the UIS student body. It captures the spirit and energy of the University and the welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic environment that is cultivated at the UIS campus. Two foot seats duplicate the negative space in the two Corten plates and reinforce the forward motion of a journey.
The light and shadow that moves through and around Expanding Visions is a major component of the sculpture. Sited to take advantage of the sun’s arc, shadows will shift from East to West highlighting different words and symbols and revealing new patterns at various times of the day.
The human scale of Expanding Visions is deliberate. It invites discovery and interaction, and its concept of student engagement and discourse connects to the mission and values of the University.
The negative space in the outline of the foot that Expanding Visions encloses is an invitation to the viewer to project her/his own vision and ideas, both literally and metaphorically. Standing in that space the viewer ‘s cast shadow becomes an active part of the sculpture.
Expanding Visions combines extraordinary design with a compelling community engagement process that makes student voice the conceptual underpinning of the sculpture.