




Client: Scottsdale Public Art
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, United States
Completion date: 2015
Artwork budget: $150,000
Project Team
Artist
Curtis Pittman
Public Art Agent
Scottsdale Public Art
Scottsdale Public Art
Industry Resource
Greg Brockman
Magnum Companies
Industry Resource
Chris Tung
KPFF Structural Engineers
Industry Resource
Ella Mills
Biella Lighting Design
Industry Resource
Rich Lamothe
Glass Strategies

Overview
Delicately emerging from the landscape, Diamond Bloom serves as an icon marking the southern edge of Scottsdale’s arts district. It’s form is reminiscent of the flora found in the majestic Sonoran landscape. Two upward sweeping arcs converge above creating a passageway to engage visitors from the public parking garage to the formal entrance of the Museum. The brass panels, glass fins, and colored lights are strategically placed to produce a luminous colorplay both day and night, reflecting the sparkling energy of life in the west.
Goals
In creating Diamond Bloom, careful study was put into the Western Spirit site, striving to produce a sculpture that would compliment the newly built Scottsdale's Museum of the West, designed by Studio Ma, as well as the modernist lines of the historic Loloma Transit Station, designed by architect Vito Acconci.
The sculpture embraces the walkway that leads from the museum’s public garage to its formal entrance, the Scottsdale Charros Gateway Foyer. Visitors can literally walk through the sculpture en route to and from the museum. Functionally, Diamond Bloom is a catalyst to action, drawing people from one area to the next. It was important for the artwork to have interactive qualities as well as a sense of functional purpose.
Process
Residing in Portland, OR with a project in Scottsdale, AZ, a strong collaboration with my consultants was instrumental to this projects success. Structural engineers, lighting consultants, glass fabricators, and steel fabricators were all an integral part of my team. My responsibilities are both as artist and contractor. With a background in architecture, I have the skill-set to produce all conceptual 3D drawings as well as all the working drawings for sculpture fabrication. This ability allows me to closely manage the fabrication sequence to ensure that the highest level of quality is met.