This winter, the city of Alexandria, VA, is bringing public art to its 15.4 off-street trail network for the very first time. Three temporary artworks have been commissioned for trails in the Arlandria, Potomac Yards and West End neighborhoods of the city.
The project, Winter Passages, invited artists from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. to create original, site-specific temporary artworks that could be installed at key locations along the trail network. Overall, the projects seek to promote fun and discovery and ultimately draw more attention and draw more users to the trails. The installations will be viewable from March through Memorial Day.
Flock by Christina Fletcher – Flock is an installation of 100 polycarbonate origami shaped birds that are etched with messages names and messages of community members of Alexandria. The birds are hung in groups so that they can “flock” together, and can be found hanging in the trees along the Holmes Run Trail.
Rock Cairn by Alexander Rudd – A Cairn in a man-made pile of stones used for memorials or landmarks. Rock Cairn is a series of three cairns that have been created to represent activities that occur along the Four Mile Run Trail.
Life of a Seed by Thomas Sterner – This stainless steel sculpture located on the Potomac Yard Trail represents hope, transformation, growth, and purpose. It is comprised of four pieces that depict the stages of a seed becoming a flower, and experienced from different perspectives allows for the view to investigate and contemplate the life of a seed.
This is the first public art project Alexandria has initiated along its trails since the completion of its trail art master plan, which Bressi created in collaboration with a stakeholder task force. Bressi also helped Alexandria develop and manage the call to artists for this project. Matthew Harwood managed the project for the City.
You can read more about the installation on the City’s webpage and in Alexandria Living Magazine.
Leave a Reply