Client: City of Norfolk

Overview

MetalMatisse is the centerpiece of the newly renovated downtown Norfolk, Virginia. As an interactive, vertical, exuberant, all stainless-steel, light and sound sculpture, it brings life to the downtown park, both by its own light and sound actions, as well as by the visitor activity it generates. Visitors stand in 14 different locations to activate lights and sounds, which a level of outdoor interactivity without precedent.

Goals

The goal was to activate the newly designed central park with art, interactivity, light and sound.

Process

Electroland enjoyed a wonderful collaborative process with the Norfolk Arts committee formed to choose an artist and artwork. During the course of the collaboration the design changed many times in response to committee comments. Everyone involved came away impressed with how well the process led to a superior artwork that addressed the needs of Norfolk.

Additional Information

The artwork is made from stainless steel, which is one of the few materials that hold up well in a salt-water environment like Norfolk. The outdoor interactive aspect is extremely rare in public art, and it works extremely well.