Sharing
Designs with a purpose, emerging through collaboration with clients and communities. Art for private and public places.
Two separate projects at
St. Mary’s Hospital had a unique requirement: each was to communicate an uplifting message in both secular and religious vocabulary. Above the lobby, the symbols in the “Faith” mural/window are a sun (Jesus), a dove (the Spirit), a mother and child (Madonna with baby Jesus), and the waning moon (passing on to Heaven). In the lobby, a wall sculpture ‘The Source’ depicts joyful figures warmed by the sun, which is both the source of life and a symbol of God’s love.
‘Thoughts on Wings’
Like many American cities that once thrived on industry, Newark, Ohio experienced a long and painful economic contraction as it lost much of its manufacturing base. A new library, built just off the town square, quickly became a source of civic pride and a symbol of hope. A generous citizen willed a substantial sum of money to the library, to be used for acquiring art and for sponsoring arts programs. This sculpture, located in the second-floor atrium, was the first artwork funded by this gift. It provided a great opportunity to ‘design with a purpose,’ which I summed up as follows for a memorial plaque:
“For as long as nature has been turning seeds into flowers, and caterpillars into butterflies, people have associated these small miracles with the concepts of personal growth, group achievement, and social transformation. It is hoped that the imaginary evolution of books into birds will remind both young and old that a Library is a place where new beginnings are possible, where knowledge is respected, and where freedom of thought ensures a brighter future.”
‘Meditation,’ Gluck residence
The unusual corner position of the window resulted from construction of a partial room divider. The upper horizontal band in the window helps to integrate the window and the wall. As the afternoon sunlight passes through the glass, slowly moving, ever-changing shadow patterns are projected along the wall’s full 16 ft. expanse.
Unless otherwise identified, all text and photos ©2009 Mark Talaba, all rights reserved.
