Together we are one Dubuque Public Art ProposalGeri u";hafer and Gene Tufty
Project Directors.
hei We are One Dubuque and We are @Ripp'e»
Public/Private Environmental Art Project;
Dubuque/�/�
August 13, 2013
Mayor Roy D. BuoI and Members of the City Council
City of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mayor BuoI and City Council Members,
Once again, congratulations to the City of Dubuque for its recent 2013 All-America City Award!
As members of the delegation to Denver, it was an honor and privilege for us to represent
Dubuque during that entire effort.
Inspired by that experience, we are enclosing a proposal for a public/private partnership that
includes the design, creation, and installation of a sculpture that will be symbolic of that
experience for the entire community to enjoy in a public space. For your review and comnient,
we have included an overview of the mission, design and construction, materials needed,
accessibility, site selection, possible funding sources, and a timeline to implement the project.
We appreciate your consideration and look forward to your input.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Geri Shafer Gene Tully
Project Director Project Director
Arts Management Consultant Artist/Sculptor
gereries:hafP: [CoM {uo) ao!xorn
(563) 581-7065 (563) 543-3434
Proposal
"Together We Are One Dubuque and We are a Ripple"
Public /Private Environmental Art Project
Project Directors: Geri Shafer and Gene Tully
I. Mission: To express the "voice of inspiration which is within each and every one of us. It is
what we choose to do with that voice that shapes our community." (Wayne Dyer) And, to
honor Dubuque as a recipient of the 2013 All- America City Award in Denver, we propose the
design, creation, and installation of a permanent, large scale environmental art project
conceived to capture the depth and magnitude of the recent experience for the enjoyment
of the entire community and its visitors.
II. Concept and Design Team: Project Directors — Geri Shafer, M.A., Arts Management
Consultant and Gene Tully, Artist /Sculptor. Both represented the arts as part of the
delegation to the 2013 All- America City Awards in Denver during June 2013.
Acknowledgements:
• Alan Garfield, Chair, Computer Graphics and Interactive Media
University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA — 3D Design
• City of Dubuque Engineering Department, Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer, Bob
Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer — Consultation
• Conlon Construction Company — Preparation of Estimates
Proposed Partners:
• Eliot Garfield, American Players Theatre, Spring Green, WI
Lighting
• Becker & Becker, Dubuque, IA — Stone
• Giese Sheet Metal, Dubuque, IA — Steel Manufacturing
Design and Construction: Proposed as an environmental art project to symbolically
represent the power and impact of a single drop of water that creates a ripple effect. The
project design represents the flow of the Mississippi River, the surrounding limestone bluff
areas, and the ripple in the water created by a single drop using materials native to this
area. The sculpture is created to be viewed from both inside and outside and will house a
descending labyrinth 16 -18 ft. in diameter with an outer radius of 40 ft. representing the
ripple caused by a singular drop in the river. Two pathways on either side representing the
Mississippi River — 8 feet in width — will lead to the center of the sculpture. The interior will
feature elements constructed of polished concrete, stainless steel, and a granite boulder
designed to represent the ripple.
The focal point of the piece will involve construction of a central element - a singular
drop /splash - which will be housed on a stainless steel pedestal /saddle placed in the center
1
of the area. The boulder /rock will be approximately 7'/:' tall, 3 1/2 - 4 feet in diameter, and
weigh approximately 4.5 — 5 tons; the pedestal constructed of %" stainless steel will stand
approximately 4 ft. in height, with 5 legs and 2 layers of circular webbing.
Semi - circular benches constructed of reflective stainless steel or painted carbon steel will be
placed around the drop representing the ripple effect extending outward. Skateboard
inhibitors will be placed on the side of the benches as a safety measure.
Suggested materials for the interior floor of the labyrinth are tinted color concrete and
granite tiles. The perimeter wall will be constructed of concrete and will incorporate a wave-
like pattern into the design.
Lamp posts will be placed around the inside perimeter with flags suspended from them.
Words used during the All- America City Award presentation reflecting the impact of the
"ripple" will be inscribed upon the banners. Examples include:
"When you do something from your soul, you feel a river moving within you." Rumi
"Hope is a waking dream." Aristotle
"Together We are One Dubuque and We are a Ripple."
Other words used during the presentation and representing the collective thoughts of the
delegation may also be incorporated into the banners. For all words, translations into two
other languages will be used to reflect inclusivity.
Limestone columns 12 1/2 feet in height, representing the bluffs along the Mississippi River,
will be strategically placed around the outside perimeter to capture the daylight and sun in
such a way that will reflect on the center of the space.
An integral part of the design will be solar lighting to provide illumination during certain
times of the night which can be controlled by a computer under the housing of the central
sculpture (drop). Additionally, there will be a light wave under the benches on both sides
which can be timed and programmable. Four all- weather speakers will also be mounted
under the benches to create a soundscape of waves from the river splashing gently against
the shore. Words used during the presentation and considered representative of the
conveyed messages will be incorporated into the sound.
A proposed safety measure would include the placement of security cameras in strategic
locations throughout the area to monitor activities.
III. Materials: Proposed materials include limestone, granite, polished concrete, stainless steel,
selected boulder to represent drop, solar lighting, lamp posts, audio components, and
banners constructed of materials designed to withstand elements.
IV. Accessibility: Large in scale, the piece will be created to be accessible by foot, wheelchair,
bicycle, and vehicle traffic in a highly visible location with parking available. As previously
stated, sound is also being incorporated for the site - impaired. Pathways around the work
and seating construction will be important to allow reflection and meditation by visitors.
2
XIV. Proposed Timeline:
July 18, 2013
August 19, 2013
November 2013
August- September 2013
November 2013 - 2014
Winter 2013/2014
Spring 2014
Spring 2014
June 2014
Respectfully submitted,
Geri Shafer, M.A.
Project Director
and
Arts Management Consultant
Presentation of Ripple Project idea to Michael Van Milligen
Presentation of Proposed Design to City Council
Approval of Final Design, Budget, and Site
Identification of Public /Private Partners and Development of
Fundraising Plan
Solicitation of Funds
Creation of Sculpture
Site Preparation
Installation of Sculpture
Public Celebration
4
Gene Tully
Project Director
ITether We ..r
and We are fir' s
Artist /Sculptor
Pin
f