Client: RDV Sportsplex
Location: Orlando, FL, United States
Completion date: 1998
Artwork budget: $20,000
Project Team
Artist
Mary Gillis
Mary Gillis LLC
President
Karl Droppers
RDV Sportsplex, MPV Sports Clubs
Overview
Ascent to Victory was commissioned for a new construction sports complex and practice facility for the Orlando Magic Basketball Team. As such, I incorporated the Magic’s star logo at the top and bottom of the sculpture. The star ascends on a wing, as if taking flight. Reminded of the famous sculpture, Winged Victory, in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The original title of that sculpture is Nike of Samothrace. Interesting to note that the Nike swoosh logo was inspired by the very same sculpture.
Goals
My goal was to create an inspiring image honoring the Orlando Magic Basketball Team. The sculpture plays an important role architecturally given its main entrance hallway installation beneath skylights.