Getting "Lost In Space" in Downtown Champaign

 

Lost In Space

by Judd Nelson (Wayzata, MN)

The Public Art League welcomes Lost In Space by artist Judd Nelson (Wayzata, MN) to Main Street in downtown Champaign.

The sculpture was created in 2015 and depicts three young women on cell phones.  The piece is constructed of heavy plate steel that is coated in transparent stains.

Of Lost In Space, the artist states: "The 3 teenage girls are typical of what I see happening in public places every day and everywhere.  It doesn’t matter what age or gender, when people gather in groups they tend to isolate themselves and zone into their smartphones.  This sculpture is a first in a series of life size figures that will be bolted to the sidewalks and bus stops throughout America.

An artist should create artwork that reflects our view of the world and the people that are living here in 2015.  This sculpture is making a strong statement of what I see and is a reflection on our society.  My sculptures are life size and the imagery is modern yet representational. The style is fluid and spontaneous, intent upon capturing movement and natural gestures that are typical of that person.  I have laser cut heavy plate steel and welded them together to form a 3 sided piece.  My goal is to have the viewer’s recognize and feel the alienation of people from one another."

The sculpture is the 92nd piece that has been installed through the Public Art League program.  A big thanks to Jos. Kuhn & Co. for the sponsorship of this piece.

"What it the Good?" Brings Vibrant Colors to the Boneyard Crossing

What is the Good?

by Gregory Stallmeyer

(Monticello, IL)

The Public Art League is proud to welcome What is the Good? by local artist Gregory Stallmeyer to the Boneyard Crossing, near The Station Theater, in Urbana.  This amazing piece was installed in advance of the 2021 Boneyard Arts Festival and will be enjoyed throughout the event weekend and beyond.

What is the Good? stands 9' tall and is 7.5' wide.  The sculpture was created using steel, plexiglass, resin and automotive paint.  The artist states that the sculpture was inspired by a 2013 philosophical radio drama titled "Darkside."

The installation was made possible through collaboration with the Urbana Arts and Culture Program who sponsored and provided installation assistance.  A big thanks to the Urbana Arts and Culture Program for making the display of What is the Good? possible!

In addition to What is the Good?, PAL also worked with Greg to install Beneath the Surface in 2019.  Beneath the Surface is currently installed in Monticello thanks to a collaboration between PAL and the Monticello Area Arts Council.  

What is the Good? represents the 91st sculpture installed in the community through the Public Art League program.

 

"The Sun King" Maintains Its Throne on the Kickapoo Trail

The Sun King by Steven Maeck

We are happy to share that The Sun King by Steven Maeck (Decorah, IA) has been purchased by the Forest Preserve Friends Foundation and will have a long-term home on the Kickapoo Trail in Urbana.

The artist states: "Since 2002, I have been designing and fabricating sculptural work either fully or partially composed of iron and steel.  The focus of my recent work has been almost exclusively in the utilization of industrial detritus which I alter and/or recombine in such a manner as to create work that is not only resonant and original but manifests the aura of having been created from base raw material, i.e., cast bronze.  Of course there is, and should be, at least a subliminal sense of the processed heritage of the metal."

We would like to thank the Champaign County Forest Preserve District and its donors for adding to the community through public art!

PAL President's Letter - 2020

 

Flamenco Revisited at Porter Park, Champaign

Artist: Ruth Aizuss Migdal.  Photo: Della Perrone

Dear Friend of the Public Art League,

To say 2020 was a challenging year is an understatement. So many disruptions and changes to our urban lifestyle and experience! 

Although the Public Art League was compelled to take a low-profile like so many others in the community, we were able to continue advancing the PAL mission with the installation of two new sculptures located in the Carle at The Fields, and, the renewal of leases for other existing sculptures. 

Sadly, the strong winds of change were too much for Flamenco Revisited at Porter Family Park in Champaign. Damage to the sculpture required returning it to the artist thus ending its run in a prominent corner of southwest Champaign.

As we emerge from these turbulent times, the power of the arts to lift our spirits and spark new beginnings has never been more potent. And so it is with excitement that I announce a new partnership between 40 North and the Public Art League.

Beginning in 2021, 40 North will provide financial and operational governance for the Public Art League. I believe combining these operational synergies under 40 North’s Board of Directors will continue advancing public art in our community. This collaboration will prove true the adage that we are stronger together than when we are apart.

I am grateful for all the support you have given over these past eleven years. And I hope you are excited for the years ahead. I know that with your continued support, together, PAL and 40 North will put art on every corner!

Very truly yours,

David B. Wilcoxen, President

Public Art League

"The Feather" Installed at Carle at the Fields

Pluma Sculptura (a.k.a.The Feather) by Kirk Seese

 

On a windy, Sunday morning, artist Kirk Seese (Lutherville, MD) installed Pluma Sculptura (a.k.a. The Feather ) on the Carle at the Fields trail in Champaign.  This is the second sculpture installed at the Carle at the Fields development this year.

Of Pluma Sculptura, the artist states:  "I wanted to create something that was not based in reality, had no reference point and seemed to come from a different planet. Something unique. Something that came from inside. The process of creating the swirling color fields became a therapeutic exercise for me. The organic motions of the blended hues contained by the stark, black, geometric framework should be visually unnerving, but they’re not. Instead they complement each other. Viewers say it reminds them of stained glass, and even ask me if the panels are transparent, which they are not. With such a high gloss from the epoxy resin outer coating, they do offer a mirror like reflection of the world around them, making it difficult to distinguish between what is there, and what is reflection."

Pluma Sculptura stands 10’ tall and is constructed if steel, ¾” marine grade, CNC cut MDO board, UV inks and epoxy resin.

Take a walk around the Carle at the Fields trail (Staley & Curtis Roads) in Southwest Champaign to enjoy The Feather!  A big thanks to Carle for their site sponsorship of two sculptures this year!

"Stargazer" is a Vision at Carle at the Fields

Stargazer with Artist Ray Katz

The Public Art League proudly welcomes Stargazer by artist Ray Katz (Pontiac, MI) to Carle at the Fields in Southwest Champaign.  The sculpture is installed at the corner of Fields South and Healthcare Drive.

Stargazer is 8.5’ tall and 8.5’ wide, weighs 1,000 lbs. and is made of brushed aluminum.

Of Stargazer, the artist states:  Metal is best suited for my work because if its strength, malleability and inherent beauty.  I combine geometric and organic elements to create compositions that convey kinetic energy implied in my work.  I use the abstract manipulation of form and shape in space to create a visual balance, using rhythm, action and movement.  Brushed aluminum has become a prominent aspect of my recent work.  The shades of aluminum integrate and emphasize the structural organization of the elements in my compositions.

The Public Art League thanks Carle for its Site Sponsorship and its support of public art in our community.

Artist Ray Katz with Stargazer

"Quarter Moon" Finds New Home

Quarter Moon by Carl Billingsley

Quarter Moon by Carl Billingsley (Greensboro, NC) has found a new home on Park Street (near Randolph St.) in downtown Champaign.  The sculpture was formerly installed on Main Street (near Market Street).  The sculpture was relocated to make way for another sculpture at that site, and to bring some new artwork back to the Park Street location.

The artist states:  "Quarter Moon is an exploration of a vertical motif.  It is constructed of standard industrial steel shapes such as I-Beams, and various sizes of pipe that are welded and mechanically attached.  The technique that I employed in constructing Quarter Moon is also industrial and continues the tradition of 19th century 'constructivists' who introduced industrial materials and techniques into 'fine art.'  'Economy of means' and 'the hand of the artist' are both expressive aspects of the sculpture that any viewer can see and readily understand.  Quarter Moon is a unique and somewhat mysterious object that enlivens the public space and references the natural world symbolically by employing universal design elements such as color, planes, lines and circles in a sort of poetry of object and space."

We hope you enjoy Quarter Moon in its new home!