Client: Louisiana State University
Location: Baton Rouge, LA, United States
Completion date: 2013
Artwork budget: $100,000
Project Team
Artist
Gary Slater
Client
Roger Ogden Development
Overview
The sculpture “CELEBRATE” was commissioned by Roger Ogden Development as a gift to Louisiana State University to complete the landscape and entry for the new business administration building. “CELEBRATE” is one of a series of similar sculptures Gary has worked on since the 1980's. “CELEBRATE” is 20 feet tall, Corten steel and stainless steel ; weighs 2400 lbs.
Goals
The goal was express to me by Roger Ogden, the donor, as the final piece to complement the new building. The business administration building was 10 years in planning and construction, and Mr. Ogden was actively involved in that process.
Process
The overall process was fairly simple in that I had made this sculpture on a much smaller scale. Mr. Ogden felt it expressed the spirit, the exhilaration, of the final completion of the new building. He chose the material and the size, and then it was up to me to make it happen. "CELEBRATE" did have to be approved by the governing board at LSU, so that is gratifying.
Additional Information
There were a number of people to coordinate the process of installation and delivery who were helpful to a man. As rain and sun work on the Corten, it will weather nicely.