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Bloom Where You’re Planted By Brad Oldham Sculpture August 10, 2021 The rhythms of the Sonoran Desert defined the evolution of Surprise, Arizona, which sits in a space juxtaposing the desert and the mountains. Such a space enables us to feel our human smallness, particularly in contrast to the grandeur of the Earth. The surrounding desert has been a vibrant destination long before the city was established and continues to be a source of natural beauty, biodiversity, physical challenge, and spiritual contemplation, making it a natural place for reflection and healing. PROPOSED CONCEPT RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Introduction In looking for inspiration to create a placemaking sculpture for Surprise’s new entertainment district, we turned to the desert and its original resident: the majestic saguaro cactus. Our 18-foot-tall, mirror-polished stainless steel sculpture celebrates the area’s natural origins, commands attention, and invites intrigue. A cluster and ribbon of blooming white flowers and green buds adorn and trail down the saguaro’s body to capture the cactus in its spring bloom. Our cactus in its spring pose is meant to evoke a feeling of strength and new beginnings. The curved, reflective surface will pick up on ambient colors and light throughout the day. The saguaro’s impressive silhouette will welcome visitors to the new entertainment district growing in the city. At night, the lights in the cactus blooms will shine a magical pattern like the bright stars in the desert sky. We designed a concrete base of two 7” tall platforms of concentric shapes building up to the sculpture to add height to this grand cactus while also providing a place for viewers to sit, reflect, and feel empowered by the nature embracing Surprise. PROPOSED CONCEPT RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Introduction Those traveling by car or on foot will first engage with the compelling cactus imagery and shape and the curious viewer will be rewarded by finding something special on the backside of the cactus. As a nod to Flora Statler, the remarkable woman who founded Surprise, a kind-hearted lady can be found leaning out the top half of an opened Dutch door. With her hand cupped up to one ear, she invites the viewer to whisper into her ear, sharing their dreams and wishes or unburdening their secrets to feel relief and a sense of connection in the confidence shared within the expansive environment around Surprise. In fact, we think that people have been leaving their most intimate thoughts behind in the desert here for thousands of years, as evidenced in the marking of the White Tank Mountains petroglyphs. From Flora’s ear, the dreams, wishes, and secrets travel up the grand cactus and are released into the night skies above Surprise through the twinkle within the center of each cactus bloom. As the sun rises the next day, it is a new day. We believe that viewers will discover an even better sense of who they are in sharing their thoughts and possibly experience new beginnings as they interact with this public art sculpture called Bloom Where You’re Planted. This sculpture, and especially Flora, invite the viewer to visit again and again. PROPOSED CONCEPT RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Bloom Where You’re Planted PROPOSED CONCEPT Here you can see a boy whispering into Flora’s ear. Notice the warm light on the inside of her arched door frame along with a couple blooms to further connect Flora with the fresh, new feeling of springtime. The Latin origin of her name means “flower.” Flora was the name of the Roman goddess of springtime. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Flora Statler Detail PROPOSED CONCEPT In the digital rendering, it is difficult to get a sense of Flora’s face and expression, so we included the clay sculpture that we made in studio to work out her personality. She is carefully listening without judgement and is always available to hear the viewers’ secrets, dreams, wishes, and most intimate thoughts. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Flora Statler Clay Model PROPOSED CONCEPT Front View Daytime Rendering above shows a daytime experience of Bloom Where You’re Planted with a 6-foot-tall man and his child. Note the two-tiered base with a stainless steel artists’ plaque on the face of the front step. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Rendering above shows a daytime experience of Bloom Where You’re Planted on the back side, opposite from the traffic on Bullard and Paradise. We imagine creative photography with Flora and the sculpture here. Her ear is 4 ½-feet off the ground to be accessible for kids and adults alike. PROPOSED CONCEPT RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Back View Daytime We included the ariel view to give you a sense of how the three arms relate to the cactus’ body. The silhouette will have the iconic arm shape from any viewpoint. Another item to note from this view is the depth of the steps. The deep steps are meant to encourage the viewer to take a perch or groups to stage group shots effectively at two levels to see all faces. PROPOSED CONCEPT RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Aerial View Daytime If it were pitch black on the corner, the sculpture would be a beacon of light. PROPOSED CONCEPT RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Front View Nighttime PROPOSED CONCEPT The above renderings show a nighttime viewing experience with the sculpture. Note that the open doorway where Flora is will have light around the archway. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Back View Nighttime PROPOSED CONCEPT Cactus: mirror-polished 316L stainless steel like the BIRD sculptures (above). Flora: lost-wax cast bronze like the squirrel sculpture (bottom left). Blooms: iridescent white and shimmering gold automotive paints (bottom middle). Pods: three green automotive paints (above). Interior “bones” or structure: 304 stainless steel (bottom right). RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Material Samples & Reference Nearly as much thought to what the sculpture would be as to what to name this installation. There is a distinct, intuitive feeling evoked in this installation that reminds the viewer of the natural beauty and importance of sharing your most personal thoughts and dreams with friends and family. We needed a human connection to invite engagement with a sense of community. There is such a personal and widely relatable feeling of knowing that the gorgeous blooms on the saguaro cactus point to life’s resilience and splendor. We want this sculpture to celebrate the natural environment of Surprise and conjure excitement and confidence of what is to come when People in a city thoughtfully works together. PROPOSED CONCEPT The origin of the “bloom where you’re planted” phrase is credited to the Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) and there are several Biblical references that carry similar concepts. It is most understood to mean that you can be all that you can, make the best of a situation, and do what’s right. The sentiment reminds me of my grandmother who grew up in a small coastal town in Mexico, was educated in Texas, and married a US Army Colonel. In their life together, they traveled the world, and my grandmother learned to always plant flowers wherever you live, no matter for how long. She taught me that anyone can contribute to your community with actions and gifts of any size. This idea communicates the optimism of spring blooms and the invitation to share hopes and dreams to connect with other people to make a community a better place for all. There are no limit to community building and “planting” good ideas and flowers radiates beauty for all to share in. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 About the Name The saguaro cactus is a definitive symbol of the desert in the Southwest United States – and yet it means more. The cactus stands tall in showing an example of adapting to one’s (sometimes harsh) environment and providing shelter and nourishment for others. Its stature leads to an authoritative feel infused with wisdom. This symbolism combined with a kindhearted human point of engagement produces a unique feeling that are both intimate and community minded. The narrative expressed at the corner can be extended further into the district. In the future, we envision the white and gold blooming flowers and green pods marking the district in surprising places, serving as additional wayfinding, and creating new points of community pride. Example of blooms and pods on existing signage. A fresh bloom on a hot day is cooling! The exterior of public buildings like this one could be another location for blooms and pods. PROPOSED CONCEPT RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Future Engagement Beyond The Installation Site The shape and materials of a sterling silver bloom pendant with a gold-plated center (with or without a CZ stone) would be a lovely gift for residents and visitors. It is special to have a piece made and signed by the artist. In the Bloom Where You’re Planted pendant, we would like to highlight the human connection of the sculpture with an excerpt from this poem in the packaging: PROPOSED CONCEPT Make new friends, But keep the old. One is silver, And the other, gold. A circle's round It has no end That's how long I'm gonna be your friend. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Surprise Engagement Idea At 19’2” feet tall, Bloom Where You’re Planted will tall enough to scale to mark the site for today and hold its own when development around matures. The vertical sculpture can anchor the corner for daily vehicular traffic and wayfinding and invite residents and guests to visit many times as wishes and dreams need to be shared. The sculpture will be highly accessible on the corner throughout the year. Standing tall, the sculpture will create a sense of place and excitement before the future buildings develop and will continue to enhance space as the area matures. For scale (and fun), Bloom Where You’re Planted will be as tall as a standing adult giraffe. The sculpture with the concrete platform is 19’2” tall x 15’ wide x 13’ deep. PLACEMENT & SITE UTILITY REQUIREMENTS RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Dimensions & Scale Reference We have designed and created placemaking sculpture before adjacent lots were developed. In 2009, our three-site installation near downtown Dallas called The Traveling Man was commissioned to create a community gateway and to encourage area development. Through the years, we have seen how our sculptures serve as a destination when the neighborhood was undeveloped and now have incorporated into new development. The mixed-use project near The Traveling Man – Waiting on a Train has incorporated the BIRD sculptures within each hotel room and feature photography throughout the campus. The front of the mixed-use development was designed around our installation with its front door oriented to the sculpture. PLACEMENT & SITE UTILITY REQUIREMENTS RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Building Community Around Sculpture The design of Bloom Where You’re Planted is such that it works on a highly accessible corner for both drive by viewing and pedestrian engagement. The optimistic feeling of a saguaro cactus in spring will resonate with residents and visitors. Flora on the side facing away from traffic invites a more intimate engagement. We examined two locations for our sculpture as noted below. PLACEMENT & SITE UTILITY REQUIREMENTS RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 The Southeast Corner of Bullard Avenue and Bell Road The southeast corner of Bullard Avenue and Paradise Lane Site Considerations The Southeast Corner of Bullard Avenue and Bell Road -High vehicular traffic translates into strong daily visibility. -Serves as a gateway welcome into the district from Bell Road. -High vehicular traffic on this corner could deter pedestrian traffic – depends on commercial for that corner. -Obstructed view by the sign in the median on Bullard. -Don’t like the RV and Self Storage on north side of Bell; this is not a reoccurring pedestrian draw. -The northwest corner is bricked off residential that isn’t pedestrian friendly. -Utilities above ground at corner detract from desirability of site. The southeast corner of Bullard Avenue and Paradise Lane -Already family-oriented traffic on this corner with the community park across Paradise and the Mark Cornado Park across Bullard. -Strong vehicular traffic but not as much a pedestrian deterrent as Bell; Bell Road is six lanes of traffic while Paradise has 2 lanes of traffic. -Nice environmental lighting already from baseball parking lot. -Examples of places where the sculpture will be seen include Mark Coronado Park (community events i.e., 4th of July), Surprise Stadium, Surprise Lake and surrounding parks, Northwest Regional Library, Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex, and Residence Inn. -Bloom Where You’re Planted will draw in visitors from Bell and Greenway to create a sense of arrival. This is the heart of Bullard Avenue. -The sculpture marks the turn off Bullard Avenue to Surprise City Hall. PLACEMENT & SITE UTILITY REQUIREMENTS RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Site Evaluations We recommend the northeast corner of Bullard Avenue and Paradise Lane (as marked on map below). PLACEMENT & SITE UTILITY REQUIREMENTS RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Site Recommendation PLACEMENT & SITE UTILITY REQUIREMENTS RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Sculpture Rendered In Location at Bullard Avenue & Paradise Lane PLACEMENT & SITE UTILITY REQUIREMENTS The utility requirement for Bloom Where You’re Planted for internal lighting is 30 amp service and all lighting will be IP68 LED lighting. The design of our sculpture incorporates a removable panel with special, tamper-resistant stainless steel screws to access internal LED power drivers and electrical equipment. The bottom door panel under Flora is where we designed the access panel into the sculpture. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Lighting Specifications DESIGN, FABRIC ATION, HANDELING, & INSTALLATION Design Through Installation Process We bring more than 20 years of design, fabricating, and installing public art sculpture to this project. We don’t see a conflict with city zoning and design guidelines for Bloom Where You’re Planted. Our experience enables us to accurately project costs. We provide technical support and fabricate our own artwork with our established team of artisans. In planning through the installation, we looked for special challenges. We do require space for unloading and staging area. Since that corner is not developed, this requirement should be workable. We will unload the sculpture, assemble, and install over a two- to four-day period. Significant rain or adverse weather conditions would impact this outdoor installation timeline so we will watch weather closely leading up to the installation. We can schedule around the weather as much as possible. It is a two-day drive from Dallas to Surprise. The engineering pad and decorative concrete work will adhere to all local codes and permitting requirements. The concrete work and structural requirements for foundation be completed at least one month prior to sculpture installation. If required, we will demo existing concrete to install the structural foundation and flat work. Our engineer is licensed in all 50 states and then our plans will be submitted for your city engineer review process. The equipment required for our installation includes a four-man team from Brad Oldham Sculpture, a 10k sky track, two vehicles, and one trailer. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 MAINTENANCE & CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS Care & Keeping Considerations for Surprise Attached on the following page is our standard Care and Keeping document for sculpture we produce from 316 Stainless Steel that is polished to a reflective, mirror-like finish. For Bloom Where You’re Planted, we are expanding these recommendations to address this specific sculpture and the environment in Surprise, AZ. For the colored blooms and pods, we will use UV stable epoxy automotive paints along with UV stable clear coat on any colored parts of the sculpture. The design of the flowers and buds are such that if they need “recolored” they unscrew and can be freshened and reinstalled. A long-term effect of the environment in Surprise could possibly be minor scratching from sandstorms. We have not seen this happen with our other public art sculptures across the country but want to keep an eye out in Arizona for that possibility. If such scratching occurs, we can hand polish the sculpture back to its reflective finish. In other installations, natural rain fall cleans the dust from the sculpture. Since Surprise gets only 9 inches of rain a year, the dust could accumulate so a rinse with water and a spot-free product a couple times a year would keep the sculpture’s shine. It would be good to set a spring and fall date on the calendar each year to check dust at the sculpture. The expected lifespan of this artwork is until it is physically removed. We are using 5 mm 316L stainless steel for this sculpture, which is a marine-grade material, suitable for exterior use. The natural properties of this stainless steel material allow it to be rinsed with acetone to remove any paints/graffiti applied. As noted in our Care and Keeping document, if stainless steel is scratched, it can be polished out. The projected ongoing conservation costs for the sculpture are low due to its design and material composition. The LED lights are expected to be replaced in 5 to 7 years. The conservation work is suggested by Brad Oldham Sculpture. Repair and maintenance work will be quoted prior to work performed. Due to the sandy environment, and how kinetic sculptures operate, we feel that the maintenance and repair costs are too high so we did not incorporate this aspect into our design. Further, severe winds in the area would require regulators on any moving pieces, which is another cost and maintenance item. We want Bloom Where You’re Planted to look the same as it does on our installation day as it does any other day of the year. Flora will be lost-wax cast bronze and her warm glow finish will be sealed with a clear protective finish. To maintain her golden brown exterior, her care differs from the rest of the sculpture. She should be waxed every two years (or as needed) with carnuba wax. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 MAINTENANCE & CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS Standard Care & Keeping Care and Keeping of Brad Oldham Sculpture’s 316 Stainless Steel Sculpture Owner’s Care & Keeping Information: Your sculpture is be made of 5mm thick 316 stainless steel polished to a smooth, reflective finish. The industrial-strength stainless steel used in our sculptures is often used for the top of workbenches, so its durability is well established. 316 stainless steel is the basic chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel and has excellent resistance to corrosion. Cleaning dirt from stainless steel surface – Like any material, dirt and soil can accumulate on the surface of stainless steel. While some may be easily removed, others may require specific cleaners for effective removal. Often times, warm water, with or without a gentle detergent, is sufficient for removing dirt from the surface of stainless steel. Next in order are mild non-scratching abrasive powders such as typical household cleaners. These can be used with warm water, bristle brushes, sponges or clean cloth. Ordinary carbon steel brushes or steel wool should be avoided as they may leave particles embedded on the surface which can lead to rusting. For more aggressive cleaning, a small amount of vinegar can be added to the scouring powder. Cleaning should always be followed by rising in clean, hot water. When water contains mineral solids, which leave water spots, it is advisable to wipe the surface completely with clean, dry towel. Cleaning fingerprints and stains – Fingerprints and mild stains are common surface contaminates. Fortunately, these usually only affect the appearance and seldom have an effect on corrosion resistance. They are easy to remove by a variety of simple cleaning methods. Fingerprints can be removed with glass cleaner or by gentle rubbing with a paste of soda ash (sodium carbonate) and water applied with a soft cloth. This should be followed by a thorough warm water rinse. Cleaning oil and grease – Oil and grease may not allow the surface to maintain passivity, and periodic removal is necessary. Soap or detergent may be tried – or a combination of water plus a solvent. Many solvents are widely used as individual cleaners, but there are thousands of blended or compound cleaners on the market. You are advised to contact suppliers of solvents for information on their application on stainless steel before using on sculptures. Cleaning with chloride-containing detergents must be avoided. Cleaning paint – There are several solvents on the market that will remove paint from stainless steel. If more power is needed, the solvent may be used in combination with gentle rubbing with a non-abrasive scrubber like a sponge or towel. Removing scratches – If stainless steel is scratched, you should contact Brad Oldham Sculpture at 214-740-0600. As noted above, you should contact solvent manufacturers to find out how their product works on stainless steel. Further, to help ensure the best possible results, all methods and cleaning materials or solvents should be tested in an inconspicuous area first before using on a wider area. If the artwork is damaged, contact Brad Oldham Sculpture at 214-740-0600 for an estimate on its repair. Brad Oldham Sculpture 1200 Ross Avenue, Number 180 Dallas, Texas 75202 214-740-0600 bradoldham.com RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 LIABILITY & SAFETY Safety Specifications The only potential concern is the heat. The sculpture warmth will be similar to the ambient air temperature in Surprise. We have not had any issues with heat and our outdoor public art sculptures in Dallas, Greenville, Charleston, and such. As a precaution, the city of Dallas took a temperature reading on one of our mirror-polished stainless steel sculptures on a hot summer day. The sculpture temperature was the same as the air; the concrete temperature was higher. To further mitigate heat, our convex shape of the sculpture reduces the chances of any one area getting too hot, unlike a flat metal sculpture. Lightening protection will installed by licensed professional and is part of our planning process. The installation site will conform to all ADA requirements. RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 PRICE Bloom Where You’re Planted $30,000.00 Design/Artist Fee $5,800.00 Engineering $7,500.00 Shop Drawings $3,600.00 Permits $139,250.00 Materials & Fabrication $750.00 Artists’ Plaque $1,500.00 Running Wiring $4,500.00 Embeds: Structural Pipes $7,500.00 UV Stable Automotive Paint $5,500.00 LED Light Fixtures $1,500.00 Controllers $17,900.00 Concrete Work On Site (site prep, form up, and install concrete base feature) $3,500.00 Lightning Protection $30,350.00 Project Management, Insurance, & Site Visit $6,500.00 Shipping & Pre-Installation Work $1,500.00 Photography & Documentation of Artwork $267,150.00 $7,500.00 Equipment Rentals (10k lift & 35’ boom) $14,600.00 Four Man Crew $4,250.00 Hotel & Food $3,000.00 Delivery to Site $3,500.00 Contingency & Incidentals $32,850.00 Installation RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 NOTE: This budget does not include ideas for future engagement and wayfinding. Expanded $300,000 Budget APPLIC ATION FORM RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Aerial view in nighttime. Bloom Where You’re Planted RFQu 321236 (Phase II), Call for Artists; Bond Roadway Improvements Public Art: Phase 2 Thank you for your consideration!