Work is scheduled to begin Friday morning to install artwork on a building facade in downtown Tacoma’s Theater District.
The artwork is the creation of Seattle-based sculptor and painter Jonathan Clarren, and consists of a trio of three-dimensional metal, laser-cut half-spheres that range in diameter between three feet, five feet, and eight feet, and feature an intricate design pattern. The pieces will be bolted to a blank facade situated between the historic Kress Building, located at 934-936 Broadway, and the historic C. N. Gardner Building, located at 928-930 Broadway. Once installed, the art is expected to “cast unique shadow patterns on the wall enhancing the display and always changing,” according to a proposal prepared by the property owners, Eric Cederstrand and Ken Cederstrand.
Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the proposal during a public meeting last spring. City staff noted the historic facades of the Kress Building and the Gardner Building would be retained and preserved, the installation would be sited on the non-historic facade between the two buildings, and no historic material would be removed or destroyed.
In September, contractors blocked off a small section of Broadway to make room for a mechanical lift that allowed workers to paint the building facade and drill holes for three mounting rings that will support the spheres.
In October, the Tacoma Daily Index met Clarren at his Seattle home and studio to discuss the art installation for a feature article that was published in this newspaper.
Clarren recently told the Tacoma Daily Index the three half-spheres were transported from Seattle to Tacoma on Thurs., March 10, and the installation was expected to begin on Fri., March 25, and continue through Mon., March 28.
“We are going to start work tomorrow at around 8 a.m.,” Clarren told the Tacoma Daily Index today. “Tomorrow we plan to get the mounting rings bolted and the electrical put up. The epoxy needs 24 hours to set. So the spheres go up on Saturday.”
To read the Tacoma Daily Index‘s complete and comprehensive coverage of Jonathan Clarren’s downtown Tacoma Theater District art installation, click on the following links:
- Preparations continue for downtown Tacoma Theater District art installation (Tacoma Daily Index, Jan. 26, 2016)
- Art installation aims to illuminate Tacoma’s Theater District (Tacoma Daily Index, Oct. 16, 2015)
- Preparations under way for Theater District art installation (Tacoma Daily Index, Sept. 29, 2015)
- Art installation approved for downtown Tacoma Theater District facade (Tacoma Daily Index, May 29, 2015)
- Art installation proposed for downtown Tacoma Theater District facade (Tacoma Daily Index, May 11, 2015)
Todd Matthews is editor of the Tacoma Daily Index, an award-winning journalist, and the author of several books. His journalism is collected online at wahmee.com.
UPDATE | FRI., MARCH 25 @ 12:30 P.M. — The Tacoma Daily Index stopped by this morning to shoot some early photographs of the art installation:
UPDATE | MON., MARCH 28 @ 9:30 A.M. — Artist Jonathan Clarren shared these photographs of the weekend art installation with the Tacoma Daily Index:
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN CLARREN)
(PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
(PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
(PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)
