Client: Waunakee High School

Location: Waunakee, WI, United States

Completion date: 2019

Artwork budget: $75,000

Project Team

Artist

Michael Kalish

Michael Kalish Sculpture Inc

Client

Waunakee Area Public Arts Committee

Overview

Comprised of cement, powder coated aluminum and LED lighting, Illuminating a Path references education, the very foundation of a child's bright future. Each stack of books has custom laser cut icons that encompass characteristics unique to the community as well as symbolic book titles related to the mission and values of the town as a whole. At night, the community is reminded of their past and present and look forward to a bright future as the book titles light the way forward.

Goals

To create an interactive and functional sculpture that embodied the values and spirit of the Village of Waunakee. It was important to incorporate lighting and functional design for an engaging and interactive installation the town can enjoy day and night.

Process

Illuminating a Path began as a 3D design of book-stacks that organically evolved as the highschool students, staff members and town residents voiced their ideas and opinions on colors, book titles and icons that were to be incorporated into the work. Fabricators, engineers and designers worked on the design, construction and assembly of the work in anticipation for the successful installation.