Published on: July 30, 2009

Integrating art, architecture, landscape and engineering Cliff Garten Studio in Venice,(CA) pursues public infrastructure for its potential to perform in engaging and expressive ways, not only providing for needs but elevating itself to the status of sculpture. The studio has over twenty years experience in creating public artwork, integrated into public buildings, urban lighting, bridges, landscapes, site furniture and public art plans.

The description of the Avenue Of Light by Cliff Garten Studio follows:

________

The Avenue of Light, a project by Cliff Garten Studio, features six iconic sculptures spanning approximately 1/2 mile along Fort Worth’s reclaimed historic Lancaster Avenue. The stainless steel sculptures that tower 36 feet high are located along the median from Lamar Street to Main/ Commerce Street. The city of Fort Worth reclaimed historic Lancaster Avenue which was previously situated beneath an elevated portion of Interstate 30 until the freeway was relocated in 2001. Primary to this relocation was the preservation of several striking Art Deco buildings. The work is inspired by the nearby Texas & Pacific Terminal’s Art Deco architectural details that were then interpreted into plates that are used to construct the pieces.

The sculptures, that twist and stretch into powerful and graceful forms, are at once opaque and transparent, depending upon the viewer’s position. In daylight, the brushed stainless steel surfaces play with reflection and refraction of natural light. From dusk until dawn, the volumes of the sculptures are illuminated with programmed energy efficient LED colored lights that highlight their dynamic nature.

The Avenue of Light sculptures are beacons for the historic Lancaster Avenue and herald the development of this emerging district in the city. The sculpture’s diaphanous quality and smooth geometries speak to the city of the 21st century through the forms of its past.

The project uses a Texas Department of Transportation grant to redesign the medians with trees, native grasses and paving. The project was funded by the Tax Increment Finance District and administered by the Fort Worth Public Art Program.

______
Note of the editor:

Please note the copyright of these images is retained by Cliff Garten Studio and Associates and photographers Kevin Buchanan and Edwin Benoit. Use of those images is subject to them being used for this article only. Publication of any image in any form or fashion must include a credit for both Cliff Garten Studio and Associates and photographers.