Client: Kohler Company
Location: Kohler, WI, United States
Completion date: 2023
Artwork budget: $1,439,999
Project Team
Artist
Mary Reid
Vice President, Project Manager
Chrissy McMillan
Creative Machines
Overview
Maverick Spirit is a monumental kinetic sculpture commissioned by Kohler Co. to honor the legacy of Herbert V. Kohler Jr. The sculpture stands 26 feet high and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fashioned from durable stainless steel using a novel laser welding process and measuring 8 feet in diameter, this colossal masterpiece is the result of extensive prototyping, new fabrication processes and rigorous testing – ensuring not only its aesthetic grandeur but also its flawless functionality.
The one-of-a-kind moving sculpture is a creative and technical marvel composed of 61 stainless steel blades, each representing one year of the late executive chairman’s service to the company. The sculpture creates and dissolves a perfect helix, opening and closing in an awe-inspiring design that suggests the tension between order and randomness, surrounded by more than 1.5 miles of trails and boardwalks.
Goals
Our client came to us with a vision to create a commemorative and monumental moving sculpture that only we were equipped to produce. The project's purpose was to honor the legacy of Herbert V. Kohler Jr. and the 61 years of service he gave to the company. The goal was to have the artwork integrated into the headquarter's new nature preserve with a walkway for visitors to enjoy.
Process
Maverick Spirit embodies an extraordinary partnership between Creative Machines and Kohler, translating their vision into reality. Kohler's team conceptualized the sculpture, tree root panels, and glass fence, while Creative Machines executed the design, engineering, fabrication, and installation processes, bringing the entire vision to life.
The creation of Maverick Spirit involved cutting-edge techniques and meticulous testing processes. With the acquisition of new laser welding equipment, Creative Machines established a dedicated safety room to ensure precision and safety in the fabrication process. Our testing methods included trials in a freezer, hundreds of hours simulating the electronic sequences, and applying dirt from the site to the electric components - all to ensure the sculpture's durability and resilience for years to come.