There’s a new sculpture at City Park in Bowling Green and, like the proverbial apple, it didn’t fall far from the tree.
The sculpture, Metamorphosis 92, designed, crafted and donated by local artist Gail Christofferson, was created from a large burr oak tree which was set to be cut down at the park.
The artwork, which was dedicated during a ceremony held Tuesday evening, is located across from the City Pool and Waterpark Complex at the horseshoe pit area.
“We all know public art enhances our lives,” said Mayor Mike Aspacher. “This is a real, tangible reinforcement of that notion.”
According to a news release, the sculpture was fashioned from the bur oak tree, which was set to be removed. Aspacher on Tuesday said the tree had begun to pose a safety hazard.
It was noted during Tuesday’s event that the idea for a sculpture somehow involving a tree was hatched even before the burr oak became available. Christofferson said on Tuesday that one of her team members, Craig Hamilton, owner of Modified Originals, had the initial idea behind the sculpture, originating with a small sketch.
“He was like, ‘How about something with a tree?’” she said.
The design of the piece “provided an opportunity to re-use the oak tree in creating a dome-like structure and a seating area in the center of the dome. A mosaic incorporated into the design creates a new and unique place to take a moment to relax and reflect while visiting city park,” the release states.
According to the release, Hamilton, was instrumental in designing and creating the structure, including sawing large branches from the tree into wishbone shapes which were then arranged so that the pieces interacted together to form a sturdy and stable yet still organic structure. As part of the design, Christofferson then created an organic star-bust mosaic design using scrap glass onto the Lexan panels that were cut to fit the curved profile of the branches.
“My long-time relationship with the BG Parks and Recreation Department was a key factor in the collaboration,” Christofferson said in the release. “The parks department was instrumental in removing the tree in a manner that allowed us to create the structure and providing the on-site infrastructure. This project allowed myself and my team to create a new and unique piece of art for the park and for our portfolio to garner future sculpture projects.”
Aspacher further noted that multiple city departments assisted with the project.
“This was a group effort,” he said.
“Now that it’s installed and I have the ability to experience it,” Christofferson said prior to the ceremony. She hopes people will look at the piece and “take a moment and reflect.”
“It’s intentionally abstract and when you sit in here,” Christofferson said, and she is hopeful that people will take a minute to reflect on their day, their life, their family. Three large stumps are situated in the central area within the sculpture.
“It’s a very meditative space… We’re hopeful people will actually take a moment to actually go inside the sculpture,” she said.
