Client: Audubon Society
Location: Seattle, WA, United States
Completion date: 2008
Artwork budget: $15,000
Project Team
Client
Gail Gatton
Audubon Society
Artist
Mark Ditzler
Benson Vess Metal Fabricator
Overview
The heron sculpture was designed to honor donors using a modular tile system supported by a stainless steel frame. The modular system allows more donor tiles to be added as needed. The sculpture was also built for a high-traffic area where durability was important.
Goals
The goal was to create a pleasing symbol for the center which is located near the lake shore. We also wanted to choose a symbol that represented the water environment and a dramatic bird to reinforce the Audubon center's mission of educating the public about birds and the environment. The glass and steel were chosen as pleasing materials.
Process
This project required close communication between my studio and the metal fabricator to insure proper fit of the glass parts to the metal frame.