Client: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
Location: Providence, RI, United States
Completion date: 2014
Artwork budget: $20,000
Project Team
Industry Resource
Paul Amaral
Amaral Custom Fabrication
Client
Martina Haggerty
Dept. of Planning & Development City of Providence
Artist
Duende Glass
Overview
Rhode Island Transit Authority sent an RFP for original art for the bus shelters being built for their new R-Line. I proposed “The Mercurial Tree” a multi layered tempered, etched, gold leafed, painted, original glass artwork.
Goals
This work has to withstand weather, light, heavy use. We used multiple layers of laminated glass with textures and colors throughout all interior layers. The light play on the gold leaf offers a special experience to those awaiting the bus. Portrayed are chandeliers from Sears Roebuck circa 1890. There happened to be a SRS on the same street as this bus stop. Pictured at the bottom of the glass is an image of an iconic bridge frozen in its upright position for 30 years.
Process
I submitted a fun rendering I did in the popular desktop application, Minecraft. I had a good response to the square clouds. I was commissioned by the City of Providence and RIPTA and worked with their architects and Solar Seal glass, and Amaral Custom Fab to create the work.
Additional Information
This artwork is an original painting captured in layers of glass. This is a subtle piece meant for the person awaiting a ride. A special moment for themselves.