Client: Tristar Glass
Location: Bentonville, AR, United States
Completion date: 2022
Project Team
Custom Glass Fabrication
Stephen Balik
GGI (General Glass International)
Architectural Design
Wheeler Kearns Architects
Artist
Addie Roanhorse
Big Rain Gallery
Overview
The Momentary is a transformative adaptive reuse project by Wheeler Kearns Architects, repurposing a former Kraft Foods plant into a vibrant space for visual arts and performances including music, film, and theatre. Positioned as an extension of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, this facility is set to be a cornerstone of the burgeoning downtown Bentonville Market District.
Commissioned by Tristar Glass, GGI applied its Alice® direct-to-glass printing technology to integrate artwork by renowned Osage artist Addie Roanhorse into the main entrance and rooftop glazing. Roanhorse’s design, featuring an “arrow” motif, honors the site’s heritage as Osage Nation hunting grounds and preserves the building’s 70-year history.
The artwork on the glass enhances the aesthetic while incorporating solar control and energy-efficient features. The glass configuration includes a curtain wall system with 1-1/4″ overall thickness insulating glass units, combining Pilkington OptiWhite® low-iron glass and Guardian SNX 62/27 Low-E on UltraClear® low-iron glass. The rooftop construction mirrors this with a 1-9/16″ laminated insulating glass unit, providing both safety and environmental benefits.
Goals
The artwork is designed to pay homage to the site’s history as Osage hunting land. Addie Roanhorse, a multidisciplinary artist residing on the Osage Nation Reservation, plays a vital role in preserving Indigenous culture through her work across various mediums, including film, as demonstrated by her recent appointment as Osage Nation Ambassador for the film “Killers of the Flower Moon” directed by Martin Scorsese. This project not only showcases her artistic versatility but also her commitment to cultural preservation.
Additional Information
Digital imaging on glass demands specialized expertise and advanced technology. As such, traditional architectural glass fabricators, who specialize in products like laminated and insulating glass units, often collaborate with GGI to incorporate digital artwork into their glazing solutions. This partnership allows them to meet specific project requirements effectively, leveraging GGI’s renowned capabilities in digital imaging on glass.