Client: SunMetro
Location: El Paso, TX, United States
Completion date: 2018
Artwork budget: $250,000
Project Team
Artist
Jim Hirschfield
Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii, LLC
Artist
Sonya Ishii
Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii
Overview
In Northeast El Paso there had once existed a tall blue pyramidal structure built to announce the Sunrise Shopping Center. Until it was torn down, it served as a major landmark and icon of Northeast El Paso. Finding inspiration in the lore of the blue icon, we celebrate the fields of poppies that cover the surrounding hillsides in spring with over 600 yellow disks attached to the blue structure.
Goals
It was important to the community of Northeast El Paso that the work of art placed in the Transit Center was a work that would act as an icon for the area, and a work that they would be proud to represent their community.
Process
We worked closely with the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, Sun Metro and the architecture firm EXIGO. We also met with the El Paso community to understand hear their perspective on the project.