Twice a day, Pete and I would go for a walk around the hospital halls so he would be able to get circulation in his legs, and we would always walk past this very interesting plant. He didn't know what it was, but luckily his Dad did. A ficus tree. "Duh." Well, that ficus tree sent me into a frenzy of ideas. It was one of the most interesting naturally occurring plantation that I've seen. But there everywhere, and I missed it.
So, I stuck to what I believe in the most. People believing in themselves to follow their dreams. Sounds easy enough. But it rarely occurs.
My Improbable Monument is.....
You have to be believe, and have faith that's IT'S POSSIBLE.
My concept is simple...
* As I stated earlier in my blog, my first inspiration came from the clock in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
* Loving the texture and the look of the ficus tree, I wanted to also incorporate that.
* Of course, interactive. People feel a closer relationship to an image or sculpture if they become apart of it.
* Film - need I say more...
* And above all else, I wanted the community to come together through this monument. That they may all celebrate as one, and no longer be divided.
Taking all that, this is what I came up with for my My Design Elements...
The base would be a ficus tree 15' high. It doesn't show it very clearly in this illustration, but I would have all three tree trunks intertwined as a ficus tree does.
More like this....
The three tree trunks would symbolize...
* Courage - because you need to have courage to do what you long for, especially as an artist. That no matter how others think about it, if they don't understand, if they try to discourage you. You need to have courage to go forward.
* Passion - without passion, why bother. Do what your passionate about otherwise you'll never be happy. And as I said in my presentation, you can't create passion, but it was always shine through your work.
* Determination - Having the courage and passion to do what you love is never easy, that is why you need determination to drive you there. No matter what adversities you face.
These three; courage, passion, and determination, entangled into one, becomes INTEGRITY.
Next is the glowing sphere to represent unity (not having a beginning or an end), immortality because it will continue to shine, and hope because all others will see and become inspired to do the same.
Now, the interior....
From the base of the tree will be a small opening. The space inside will only be 3' in diameter, just enough space for one, and possibly two people to enter. When you do enter, there will be lights that will shoot up to the top of the tree, and voice of small children in many different languages will say, "When I grow up, I want to be a______"
After my in class presentation, I was asked, "why the light show." I wish they would have asked that question in class, because it represents the beginning seedlings, the first start of a bud that nourishes and grows, becoming something greater then itself. As water is so vital for a tree to grow, so is dreams to our salvation, shooting up to the heavens, making us stronger and more able to accomplish anything.
And when you are struck by inspiration, it's completely solitary. It's within you alone, and you can't explain that feeling to anyone. You may need the support of others to fulfill that dream, but it's entirely up to you to make it into a reality.
This is how I want to showcase those realities....
Have the sphere will open up to be a 20' x 17.5' screen to project films on. The speakers will be placed in the outstretched branches, and this is to commemorate the many that have done great things.
When I was creating this, I watched "Glory" for the first time, and because of that. I think my first film I want to be show is "Glory" Those men had shown "Courage", "Passion", and "Determination" to it's fullest extent of the word.
Growing up in Minnesota, and spending much of my time in Museums in High School, and after when I moved to Minneapolis. I want my monument to be placed in the Sculpture Garden at the Walk Art Center in Minneapolis.
It's a beautiful place, with the most interesting and amazing modern art sculptures. The garden is free to the public, so anyone can enjoy it. I also want it there, because in Minnesota, we celebrate the seasons. Our summer is hot and green, our fall, crisp and colorful, our winter, cold and white, our spring, warm and blossoming.
I want my monument to be apart of that celebration. In the winter, the monument will be closed, but the sphere will continue to glow amongst the snowfall. In the spring, maintenance will need to happen. The Summer, the first movie will be shown, and then end of fall will the last.
I also want the movie to gain more outdoor activities with food vendors, crafts, and games. And when night falls, the movie begins.
How much will all this cost?
About $111,000 + maintenance (20 years)....~ $150,000
This maybe improbable now, but I definitely want my monument to come to fruition. That is one my dreams. And after the class presentation, I received great encouragement to make this happen. One student even said, "the only problem I see, is that I would want this monument to be placed everywhere."
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