Client: Zoo Miami

Location: Miami, FL, United States

Completion date: 2016

Artwork budget: $940,000

Project Team

Artist

Matthew Geller

Hutabut LLC

Industry Resource

Joe Meppelink & Andrew Vrana

Metalab

Industry Resource

Mike Davis

Diana Kingsley

Industry Resource

Rosa LaRue

Canyon Construction

Client

Amanda Sanfilippo

Miami-Dade Art in Public Places

Client

Cindy Castelblanco

Zoo Miami

Overview

"Cypress Landing", the 10,000 sq. ft. new children's play area at Zoo Miami, with its major water feature was designed by Matthew Geller and includes a multi-colored stainless steel 32' tall misting and water showering Cypress tree, water spraying Cypress knees, seating, playgrounds, landscaping, a concession stand, and a 150’ mural by Diana Kingsley. (con't below)

Goals

Three of the knees have push buttons that each operate two water nozzles in the tree such that water streams down through the mist. Three other knees each have a push button and two water nozzles. The mist is in a constant state of flux, sensitive to the slightest changes in wind, temperature, and humidity, and can lower the air temperate by as much as 30°.

Process

Metalab provided design development and fabrication documentation services for the vertical structure. As construction managers they coordinated with the fabrication and installation contractors.

Additional Information

I use materials from the everyday outdoor environment—anything from benches, to swings, to canopies, to water—& bring them into the realm of art. I create a level of connection to the familiar while highlighting elements of awe & beguilement, often using existing artifacts from the site and retrofitting them to create a micro public square or landmark that encourages creative patterns of use. The artwork becomes part of the community's fabric & integral in shaping the way we live in public space. The idea is to surprise while fostering a sense of community around an unlikely object or site.