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.