World Trade Center Project makes the local news :)

 I was interviewed this afternoon for the 6:00 news here in Boise.  I met a lovely reporter at World Trade Center Sculpture Plaza at Riverside Park & did a short interview about the project.  The story aired at 6, & might air again at 10.   Here is a link to the video:

World Trade Center beam transforms to art in Boise - www.kivitv.com

And this is what they had to say on the website :)

World Trade Center beam transforms to art in Boise

By Karen Lehr

A beam left behind in the wreckage at the World Trade Center now calls Boise home.

Boise artist Amber Conger worked with a whole team for almost two years, to transform the damaged metal rod into a new sculpture in Riverside Park.

Just this week the finished sculpture, weighing nearly 4,000 pounds, was mounted in Riverside Park to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, nearly 12 years ago.

“It was scary, it was very scary, not knowing, you know, watching it all happen and not knowing what’s going to happen next, and where any of your people that you know are,” Amber Conger said.

We all remember where we were on that day in 2001, especially Conger.

“At the time I was a flight attendant actually,” Conger said. “And I was in Seattle getting ready to go to the airport and go to work, and I was watching the news and saw it all happen.”

Amber was honored to get involved with the project to give new life to the partial beam shipped to Boise from New York City.

“It’s just surreal to know what it is,” she said. “That’s really why I wanted to get involved in this project. It does hit home for me and I’m an artist and I feel like this type of project ,this is really what it’s all about.”

The beam itself remains in its original condition-exactly how it came from New York City- but metal rings now frame it, inspired by ripples in a pond.

The sculpture was mounted in Riverside Park alongside the pre-existing fallen firefighter memorial.

“That’s definitely the best part of the project when we were down here last week with the cranes and seeing it go into place,” Conger said. “It makes it all worth it, definitely, and I’m really happy that we got it done and in place in time for 9/11 this year.”

When the memorial is finished, names of the 343 first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 will be etched into a steel wall along one of the curved walkways in front of the sculpture; a way to remember those who risked their lives to save others.

On Wednesday a small ceremony will unveil the new artwork, and plants and final touches to the monument will be added in the coming weeks.

Pretty cool : )  There will be a dedication on September 11th; I'll post details as I have them; anyone is welcome to come.  For more information on the sculpture, dedication, and the project; please email me at refinerii@yahoo.com or contact me on my FB page.

-Amber-

Boise World Trade Center Memorial--Sculpture Install

In between rainstorms today, we installed the finished sculpture at Riverside Park.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to help; including ICS Cranes, Blake Trailers & Fabrication, Lochsa Engineering, Jensen-Belts Associates, & many more.

The install went very well; no real issues: we had to re-adjust the mounting bracket for level a few times, but other than that, everything went smooth.  It helps that we have all worked together on projects like this before: this project in particular is really special. 

Everyone out there today has earned my trust & respect:  &  I knew that the sculpture was in good hands; I really was not even nervous for this install: which is a first for me, lol :)

It's always a bit surreal to see the finished piece go into place, but especially so for this one: to have the opportunity to make something out a such an important piece of history is overwhelming--& I'm very grateful to have been part of the project.

There are a few more details to finish up, but you can see the finished piece anytime at Riverside Park in Boise.  There will be a dedication on 9/11 in the afternoon--will update details as I have them.

 I'm really happy with how this project turned out; really curious to hear some of the feedback--hoping everyone likes it as much as I do : )  

-Amber-

Boise's World Trade Center Memorial-Progress Update

The sculpture is finished up & ready for installation at Riverside Park next week sometime.  After over a year of planning & talking & thinking--it's finally done!

Pictured here are myself (looking fat--nice pose, lol) & Montry Smith: owner of Blake Trailers & Fabrication; where the pieces was built.  We had a little unveiling today for press & those involved in the project: thanks to everyone who came out to see it :)

We got pretty close to the original design: I'm very happy with the overall look of the piece.  Looking forward to seeing it in place: the courtyard is ready & waiting for the final pieces; including the sculpture & the wall of names.     The finished project will be dedicated on September 11th: I'll be posting more info on times & details as I have them.

The sculpture will be on display all this week in front of Blake Trailers in Star--you will see it as you drive by.  Anyone is welcome to stop in for photos & you can see the vision board in the office.

Working on this project has been surreal from the beginning: & I'm so honored to have been able bring my vision for the beam into reality.  Everyone who has worked on this project has been so generous with time, money, etc--I think we all felt the same: privileged to be a small part of such an important moment in history; & hoping that we have created something serene that pays tribute to all those who were lost.

Amber 

Boise World Trade Center Memorial Project Update

This project started well over a year ago, & we are finally gearing up to begin the heavy fabrication.  The goal is to have the sculpture & naming wall installed by the end of July.

The beam is sitting in the fab shop, with the beginnings of the mock-up for the stainless rings.  The major fabrication will start the week of July 8th: & I can't wait to get going on it!

Yes; this is an actual piece of beam that came from the 9/11 site...it's quite something just to see it; the damage, the rust, the history.   If you would like to see it in the shop, please feel free to email me at refinerii@yahoo.com & I can set you up with time.  Tentatively on July 9th, we will be inviting news & photographers out to get some shots of the fabrication: anyone is welcome to stop in & have a look & take some photos.  I'll be updating as we confirm the date & times.

 

This is what it will look like when we are done.

The finished piece will be installed at a new plaza in Riverside Park in Boise; right next to the current Fire Fighter's plaza.

And the original proposal, showing the plaza, landscaping, sculpture & details.

More to come, stay tuned!

Amber

Boise WTC Memorial---construction is under way...

Construction is officially underway on the World Trade Center Memorial.

Today, we cut the first pieces; the base plates that will be embedded in concrete tomorrow... 

 Work has started at Riverside Park, in preparation for the new walking paths & landscaping that make up the courtyard area.

We will be starting fabrication of the rings & sculptural elements, along with the wall of names early in 2013: I'll be updating with progress pics every step of the way... 

The 3500 lb beam section that came from the WTC site is currently on display in Star at Blake Trailers; out front, right next to the main road; you can see it as you drive through town; it's right across from the fire-station...  Feel free to stop in & take a look, if you want--take photos, etc.  Montry (owner) told me  that since I brought the beam out,  he has had people stop in every day & inquire about the project & is happy to share the details of the project.  I'll be bringing out the site plan, with the narrative about the design & details of the project to display in the office sometime this week.

Thanks so much to all who have stepped forward to get involved with this project; including Jensen-Belts Associates, Blake Trailers & Fabrication, Lochsa Engineering, & Bricon Construction.

more to come...

Amber

Idaho Botanical Garden; a visit to some of my creatons...

This week, on the last warm & sunny day this fall, we took a walk through the Idaho Botanical Garden to visit some of my creations...  The fall colors were beautiful, & it was warm & sunny: perfectly beautiful for a walk through the garden....    

The Machine is looking great; the grasses have grown up around the base & look amazing! At 15 feet tall; this sculpture stands watch at the upper end of the garden :)

 Plates & Shadows keeps watch below; located near the garden cottage & herb garden.

And Suspended Gear is looking happy among the fall colors ; )

I decided to donate all three pieces to the Garden in 2011 & I'm so happy with how they look--it's so nice to know that lot's of people get to see & enjoy them :)

As we walked through the Garden, we had to stop & visit the fish in the childeren's garden...

They are so huge! & colorful & pretty!

And, we checked out the progress on the Tree House; just being built now.  OMG: it's going to be such a fun addition to the garden & I love the concept sketch---I'm thinking I need to get involved with this one ; )

I could see doing the railings; with some colorful copper, stainless, etc & maybe the flag-poles on the roof; oooh: would love to see the top as a kinetic wind-spinner!
So much fun!

I'm so glad we spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine; today it snowed & I think winter has arrived...although, I am looking forward to seeing the Garden all lit up for the Holidays :)


Amber

PS: I am doing another project out at the Garden that I'm really excited about, but I'll save that announcement for another post....stay tuned :)

World Trade Center Memorial project: it begins...

Today, I picked up the beam that came from ground zero; a piece of history that will become part of Boise's World Trade Center Memorial.

It's a bit surreal to have it on my truck; just outside my window right now.  The beam was part of the structure of the World Trade Center & was recovered from the wreckage.  I'll be taking it out to the fabrication shop in the next few days.  It will become the centerpiece for a new courtyard/park that will be built near the Fallen Firefighter's Memorial--located along the greenbelt on Riverside Drive.

The beam will be captured in rings of polished stainless steel & left the way it is now; damaged & broken & dented.  The rings represent ripples in water; & that theme is carried out in the design of the courtyard.

I am working with Jensen-Belts Landscape Architecture, & Lochsa Engineering on this project.  I am grateful to be working with such a passionate & talented team.  I feel very honored to have been chosen for this project--it truly is a piece of history...

I remember that morning vividly; I was a Flight Attendant for Horizon Air, at the time; based in Seattle.
I was scheduled to check in at 9am at the airport; woke up early, as usual; & turned on the TV; & caught a few initial reports of what was happening...called Crew Scheduling; just got a busy signal, so decided to just go to the airport anyway---it was walking distance, & I figured that I could get a better report of what was happening there...   As I walked up to the lower check-in stations of the airport: it was obvious things were chaotic---there was a long line of cars waiting, way too many people milling about, & the atmosphere was very tense; frightened & desperate; no one was talking; everyone was watching the TV monitors--I was scared...   I made my way through Security & then down to the Crew check-in/break rooms; it was the same; everyone was watching the TV's & I did the same; we watched in horror as the 2nd building was hit, & tried to make sense of all the reports coming in....   It was still unclear at this point, but the airport was shut down, & we were all told to evacuate...  I spent the next few days with a very generous friend who happened to live in Seattle (at the time, I lived in Lewiston, ID, & just commuted in for flight assignments) We watched in horror as planes crashed into buildings, & the Pentagon: & waited to hear if anyone we knew was on those flights---my Best Friends & my Mother were working for the major airlines at that time & I was so scared!!

It turned out that everyone I knew was OK: all stuck in some city, as I was: waiting for flights to be opened up again. 

The friend I stayed with for 5 days had a lovely home & family---we put up a tall flagpole together; set it in concrete in the front yard: it was just a small way of showing our support for our country & those who were lost or suffering as a result of the  9/11 attacks.  I still remember the emotions of that day & that week--& I will never forget....
 

I'll post more photos as the project moves forward---installation will be sometime in the spring.

Amber

Another proposal for public art :)

Yesterday I turned in a proposal for new public art in Meridian :)  

Truth be told: I was racing to City Hall at the last minute; with paint on my hands & dirt on my face--yikes--just barely made it in time!  And being rushed; there are a few details that I didn't have time to address; not overly happy with myself about that, but it's in & done & can't worry about it now.  I vowed yesterday to not procrastinate on the next one: we'll see how that goes, lol ;)

Anyway;

the proposal is for 2 big sculptures along Meridian's main street; one near the railroad crossing & City Hall & one at the corner of Main & Fairview.  Both will be in the triangle area made by a merging turn lane.

This one; called "Curve" is the larger of the 2; larger triangle & also will have pedestrian access.  It's all about circles & patterns; recycling, traffic patterns, community, etc. Materials will be raw steel, polished stainless steel, copper, & brushed aluminum for the structural pipes that surround each shape.  About 18 feet tall in the center; I am proposing to have the sidewalk pass under the middle of the piece :)  Also, I proposed to add a strip of solar film to the surface of the middle piece; to power batteries that would illuminate the piece at night: colored lights that would shine on the polished stainless; changing colors from blue to pink, purple, green, etc---a different look every time you drive by :)

The companion piece is called "Shift"; representing change--in direction, consciousness, action, etc.

The triangle area is smaller for this one & there is no pedestrian access; so it would just be viewed by passing cars.  Same shapes & materials put together in a different way: & this one would have the solar & lights as well.

I'm really crossing my fingers on this one; I'm up against 2 other artist proposals: we will find out who wins the project in mid-November.

Even though I think my proposal could have been a lot better; overall the presentation is nice & the ideas for the artwork are good (as I see it ;)  So, we'll see what happens.

All three proposals will be on display next week in City Hall: stop in to vote for you favorite & give your comments on the designs.

Amber

Idaho Statesman Feature: WTC Memorial

In The Idaho Statesman Today: announcing our winning design :)

Boise memorial will include piece of World Trade Center

ead more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/04/20/2082350/boise-memorial-will-include-piece.html#storylink=cpy

 Who won? After public comment, representatives from the Boise police and fire departments, the City Council, the Arts and History Department, and the Parks and Recreation Commission and staff chose Jensen Belts Associates, Refinerii, Lochsa Engineering, Blake Trailers & Fabrication as the team that will create the $27,000 memorial.

In good company: The memorial will be built this summer and stand near the Fallen Firefighter Memorial along the Greenbelt in Riverside Park. It will be dedicated Sept. 11.

The centerpiece: A 10-foot portion of a steel beam from the WTC wreckage. The Idaho Fallen Firefighter Foundation and the Boise Fire Department led the effort to get the beam to Boise and have the memorial built.

The winning design: Based on the theme “ripples in a pond,” it features polished steel circling the damaged steel of the beam.

What did people say about thedesign? Among the many public comments: It “creates the most meaningful connection with the existing firefighter memorial. What we care about is the sacrifice responders made. ... I feel a powerful connection is made between the WTC beam in stainless rings and the procession toward the (Fallen Firefighter) memorial. Beautiful, poetic.” 

From the Idaho Statesman

Yay!  I'm really excited to get started on this one: I couldn't ask for a better team :)  I will be picking up my first few supplies today: reclaimed concrete squares from the scrap yard...more on that later...
Check out the article in the paper or by using the link above; you can see the full proposal with the sculpture & landscaping elements  as well.

Amber

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/04/20/2082350/boise-memorial-will-include-piece.html#storylink=cpy

Kleiner Park: a few new pics

The sculptures have been up for a few months now, & last week we  spent a day at the park doing a final inspection: to look things over & see how the sculptures are behaving in the weather...

After a final re-torque on all the connecting bolts, they each got a spot-weld to hold them in place.

We were still at it as the sun was going down (as usual, lol)

It does make for cool pics, though... :)

Construction on the park is coming along: but not finished yet.

The park is scheduled to open to the public in April of next year: stay tuned for details on the grand opening :)

Amber

Kleiner Park Video--Wind Turbines at night....

pretty cool, eh??  Thanks so much to Dan Smede for the great video!! 

Amber

Lights! Kleiner Park Sculptures....

The lights are working, yay!  After waiting for parts, the electrical is all hooked up & the lights are on at night!

The above is a shot of the vertical axis wind turbine; it spins in the breeze & generates the power for the spotlights.

The turbines not only look amazing moving with the wind, but they produce clean, green power.

Each of the three 50' tall sculptures has 3 spotlights that are powered by the wind turbines.

I am so very happy with how this project came together; green energy mixed with public art...how cool is that!?

Photos by: Smede Marketing-thanks so much!

It's going to be interesting to monitor the output of the wind turbines over the winter; so far, we have had a very breezy autumn....providing lots of energy for the generators.   The vertical axis design of these wind turbines is well suited to urban environments: the wind can be strong & gusty or just a slight breeze in any direction, the the turbines will spin & produce energy.  And they look amazing, make no noise & are safe for birds & bats---very cool indeed!

Julius Kleiner Memorial Park is located on the corner of Eagle & Fairview & is still under construction: you can see the sculptures & wind turbines from Eagle Road or Fairview, but the park is not open yet...  Grand opening is scheduled for April of 2012: I will be sending out invites & announcements :)  In the meantime; the park is still a construction site: please don't try to go around the barricades--the security guards will not be happy, lol. 

Thanks so  much to Toby at Power Plus for all the help---you made it work!  And Blake Trailers in Star: amazing work: could not have made it happen without you!   And Susan, John, Steve, Sue, & the whole Parametrix team: so thankful to have been involved with such a talented & fun group.   Also Don, Walter, Steve, Eldon, Susan (again): I was so honored to be a part of the design team & absolutely loved every meeting & discussion: I'm a bit sad it's over, lol.

And of course: Gene & the Kleiner family--what an amazing gift you are giving to future generations: I am humbled & so honored to have been a part of such an amazing project...

Also thanks to Anderson Construction, Diamond Street Recycling, Pacific Recycling, Wild Nature Solutions & everyone I met on this project: even the construction meetings discussing schedules, water-lines, & roads were fun!

Amber

Hobble Creek Park: Install

We installed "Zephyrus" last week at Hobble Creek Park....

A 28' tall weather vane, we loaded the base & sculptural piece on the Mac-truck & drove it into Boise from Star....Blake Trailers did the heavy fabrication: they made everything look exactly like I had pictured in the beginning (over a  year ago)

The base is a recycled stand from Idaho Power, & the weather vane is made from salvaged steel, left-over copper from another project, stainless steel that I managed to convince ISE Cranes to let me have (for a price), & the spinning part on the top came from a very special friend :) 

once the base was in place, the weather vane was lifted into place...

Montry & I guided in into place....

when it came to torque-ing down the bolts, I let Jeff take over...lol

Jeff & Montry took care of the mounting bolts...

And in about an hour's time, it was done!

The plaque with the story of the design will go on later, along with the directional signage, but I'm so happy to see the piece in place!  It moves with the wind so easily, & the top spinner goes around with the slightest breeze:

 thanks Mike-E : )  It's perfect!

Will update when I get the signage up; for now, I'm so happy with this one: it looks so amazing in person; even better than the plans!  Definitely a contrast for baseball fields, but I think it works :) 

Amber

Hobble Creek Park: update

The next project to be installed: a 28' tall weather vane...inspired by sailing ships & daydreams....

 Steel with copper & stainless accents...

 & lots of rivets & bolts :)

This one will be installed next week: maybe Tuesday; I get back from Minneapolis & the Creative Connection on Sunday evening; so maybe Monday, but probably Tuesday, lol : )

for a look at the original proposal, click here: http://www.refinerii.com/2010/06/hobble-creek-park-project-approved.html

amber