Client: Vail Resorts Development Co.

Overview

The Arrabelle at Vail Square project was designed to echo a Bavarian style village, including, at its center, a Bavarian style maypole: 30 feet tall. The Bavarian maypole has an historical purpose based on the representation of artisan and business guilds. The Maypole, meant to serve as a meeting point for the Arrabelle Resort, has 5 “guild” arms and a moving sculpture on top. It is made out of aluminum. The pole itself was already in place when the artist was invited on board.

Goals

The goals for integrating commission artwork into this project was to animate the central square with colorful artwork to make an obvious meeting point in the center of the development. The whole development creates a very comfortable and entertaining fantasy world. In order to integrate with the overall design the Maypole needed to be playful.

Process

The artist was approached by the project manager based on past projects. The basic design of the Maypole was already determined and the artist was contracted to "fill in the gaps". There was little direct collaboration or direction, the bulk of that having been done in the early stages of the development's design.

Additional Information

In reviewing the project, in lieu of the traditional guild symbols, the artist determined to represent the flora, fauna, activities and seasons of Vail. Night was included as the fifth. The five sculptures are made of aluminum, hand painted, and epoxy coated.