LAKE MERRITT CHANNEL PROJECT APPLICATIONS - PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS
A preliminary conceptual plan of art programs for the Oakland Estuary Channel. The approach is systemic, making art that forms the basis for future cultural programming and engages with local/global conversations about culture and nature. Includes ideas for surface treatments and sculptural elements throughout the area.
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STUDY: CULTURE/NATURE SIGNIFICATION SYSTEMS
A range of systems and markers to represent and celebrate cultural and natural relationships: Oakland Sister Cites, climatic change, geologic biologic and community-based subjects. A flagpole system of different scales: a 100 meter high pole with an energy-producing flag to integrated flag, seating, wind powered lighting and information kiosks distributed throughout the site. Flags designed by Laney College and community for rotating events and festivals are related to flag design and creation. Exchange programs between Oakland Sister Cities, scientific recording and marking instruments/structures, water oxygenation systems, alternative energy and inter-species relationship/migration projects.
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STUDY: CHANNEL WALL TEXT WORKS
Large inverted text panels beneath the 10th St. bridge designed to be read as reflections on the water
surface. The text references the geologic age of the stratigraphic and tectonic structures beneath th Estuary site. The text design references the Kaiser Auditorium style of supergraphics.
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STUDIES: BYPASS CHANNEL AS PHENOMENOLOGICAL TURBIDIC ENERGY SPACE
The passages beneath the 7th street bridge are being redesigned to increase the tidal flow between Lake Merritt and the Oakland Estuary. A series of optically expanding, flow demarkation treatments to make the pedestrian and small craft journey through these passages a phenomenological experience and adventure. Carefully arranged, mirrored stainless steel panels and lighting, optically expand spacial and hydrologic phenomena. Linings of cast flow structures mimic hydro/geologic formations. A potential site for a model tide-generated energy system.
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PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE STUDY
In one of the designs a central platform allows for observation/ contemplation and as a stage for cultural performances. The bridge can also become a water aeration device and a platform for experiments for the sciences. This signature style bridge would bring more of the public in contact with the Laney College as it becomes a significant visual landmark, a destination. |
BRIDGE STUDIES: PHENOMENA: MOIRE/MIRAGE/EPHEMERA: SYNESTHESIA
The small pedestrian bridge that currently crosses over the Estuary Channel does not meet ADA requirements. A signature design bridge, that creates the feeling of transparency and synesthesia as one moves across it. This design creates two paths, one for bicycles and one for pedestrians.
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STUDY; PLANTINGS: CULTURE/CLIMATE SYSTEMS
An early Phase II site study. Demographic Garden is proposed that links the diverse peoples of Oakland to plantings that return them to their origins; containing medicinal and symbolic plants from various global sources. This garden would be used by the Horticultural and other Sciences for research and maintenance. Black oak, a primary food source of the Ohlone People, is planted at the center of this garden, and in a radiating pattern across the site interspersed with a flag/information system related to programs and festivals. Other planting relate to ecology, paleoclimates and global interactions/conversations.
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STUDY: FRESHWATER CULVERT
An existing fresh water culvert is proposed to be opened to allow the growing of fresh water reeds that can be utilized to learn and preserve the practice of the Ohlone People, used for millennia to make baskets and other cultural objects. The Freshwater Culvert Area is related to larger demographic plantings and becomes a center for programing and festivals |
STUDY: SCULPTURE COLLECTION: RECIPROCAL RESCUE
The Estuary Channel Sculpture Collection is presently controversial and in a state of neglect. A dual (reciprocal) system is proposed to extend the physical, conceptual and cultural relationship of the sculpture to the estuary site. The sculpture is rescued, like Abu Simbel, from the rising seas of global warming (and controversy) by elevation on plinths packed with emergency supplies. The sculptures become armatures for survival. In times of emergency, as during the 1906 earthquake, parks become refuge sites. The Estuary Channel space would be prepared to aid its citizens under this plan. |
STUDY: OHLONE EPICENTER
Phase II study: a single Black Oak tree, Quercus kellogi, raised to theoretical global warming sea level, forms center point of Ohlone Epicenter feature and origin of radiating cultural and natural elements and programs. Radial pattern used as a demarcation device for paths, plantings and flag systems. Ohlone Epicenter radial pattern theoretically extends to Bay Area wide border of original Ohlone tribal lands. Oak container has Franciscan Complex rock (Serpentinite, etc.) or geo/cultural facing, e. g., porcelain bisque, aniseptic tiles. Signification flag elements coorespond to radial pattern. Version of Oholone creation story inscription engraved on container overhang. |
STUDY: PLANTINGS/CULTURE/NATURE/STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Phase II site study for related elements including: Channel Wall Reflected Text Facades, Demographic/ Continental Drift Seating, Seventh Street Bridge Wave Element, Bypass Channel Space Treatments, Ohlone Epicenter, Global Warming/Sea Rise Elements, Cermonial Flag Pole/System and related planting elements.
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LAKE MERRITT-OAKLAND ESTUARY CHANNEL REFLECTION STUDY
A temporary structure constructed of two aquariums, recycled from The Rising Sea.., 1998, and Displacements.., 2000, exhibitions, containing Lake Merritt Estuary Channel sediment, water and vinyl text, for the exhibition: Excavations, curated by Kimberly Johansson for the Ego Park Gallery, Oakland, CA, 2007. The vinyl text: DEMOGRAPHIC ALUVIUM, inverted circling the top tank, and EPIGENETIC INTERCESSION , right-side-up circling the lower tank, are studies for the Channel Wall Text Works. |
