Client: University of Louisville (KY) School of Music
Location: Louisville, KY, United States
Completion date: 2020
Artwork budget: $500,000
Project Team
Artist
Rob Shakespeare
Shakespeare Lighting,LLC
Artist
Charlotte Ann Paul
Charlotte Ann Paul Stained Glass
Industry Resource
Stephen Cotton
University of Louisville
Industry Resource
Joe Lenzi
Senler-Campbell and Associates
Artist
Dave Caudill
Overview
2 large stainless sculptures with programmed light, a programmed light sculpture, 3 arcing benches of stepped glass block, internally lighted to project through mist illuminating overhanging trees
Goals
The Reanimation of the courtyard was conceived to 1. Enhance the School’s ability to promote both performance attendance and development goals. 2. Serve the University’s goal of engaging the broader community and 3. Further the visual recognition of the School as an important contributor to campus life. Artwork was at the core of this plan.
Process
The sculpture Effervescence was conceived to give the School's austere appearance a more progressive face while appealing to the broadest range of music devotees. (The School subsequently adopted a cluster of the notes as a logo.)
In 1999, the sculpture concept was submitted to the donor, the University President, his advisors, the Music School Dean and faculty, all of whom I regarded as stakeholders and clients. Detailed collaboration with engineers on structural concerns followed to ensure the integrity of an unusual acoustic space behind the brick facade.
In 2017, I led a team of Rob Shakespeare and Charlotte Paul who collaborated with me in proposing a group of projects focused on transforming the space and entrance experience. In 2018, the lighting of Effervescence and light sculpture Corona were completed. 2019 saw the design development of Fanfare, a large exclamation mark celebrating the programs and people pivotal to the School’s history. Before Covid, this sculpture was scheduled to be completed in 2020. Throughout planning, Dean Emeritus Christopher Doane was integrally involved in the evolution of the design, which celebrates the programs and people pivotal to the history of the School. Pandemic recovery may allow glass benches to be constructed in 2022-3.
Additional Information
The illuminated courtyard has become quite popular with the Music School community as well as visitors from the city's music lovers.