Client: Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation for the City of Northglenn, Colorado. Parson Theatre

Overview

MGA was selected to create a dynamic sculpture for the new Parsons Theatre lobby in Northglenn, Colorado.

Illumination serves as an artistic centerpiece that provides light and creates a sense of celebration throughout the atrium. The design is based on the state’s flower – the Colorado blue columbine – and is reminiscent of colorful fireworks. Much like a firework, a young flower blossom emerges from its stem, this new growth symbolic of new ideas and experiences. Similarly, the theatre bursts at the seams with energy and wonderment. A celebration of life and of creativity. A blossoming of ideas.

Commissioned by the Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation for the City of Northglenn, Colorado

DIMENSIONS: 10’H x 15.5’ diameter
Center flower measuring approx. 7.75’ x 8’ x 9.5’
5 auxiliary flowers 6’ x 6.5’ x 6.5’ 5 each
WEIGHT: expected ~600 lbs.

Goals

Mark's style challenges the mundane and superficial. Inspired by patterns in nature and the spatial relationship of elements, his creations nudge the imagination toward its own discoveries. He and his team's goal was to design a sculpture that engages visitors, provides light, and provides a sense of energy, celebration, and wonderment for the community.

Additional Information

Mark Aeling and the MGA Sculpture Studio team developed a unique lamination specifically for the Illumination project. The laminate combined the vibrant, glowing colors that acrylic features, to the tinsel strength of aluminum. Acrylics are great for being lightweight and colorful, but they are structurally limited and prone to fractures/breaks. With the slotted design MGA is known for, the acrylic would have been too fragile and unable to withstand the structural design. By combining the tinsel strength of aluminum using a specialized 3M adhesive, the resulting laminate was lightweight, colorful, and structurally stable, giving the design team the ability to push 3- dimensional CAD designing to a whole new level within the project.