Peace Park Sculpture Selected
Posted by Kathi Smith
The final selection of the Peace Park Sculpture has been made. John Hofstettor's submission of Tibetan Peace Flags was chosen. "Prayer flags are simple devices that, coupled with the natural energy of the wind quietly harmonize the environment, impartially increasing happiness and good fortune among all living beings."Â
The jury unanimously agreed that the piece best captured the values of Rotary, the hopes for peace and fit within the natual beauty of the peace park.
The underlying concept of the proposal is based on the Tibetan prayer flag tradition. For centuries, Tibetans have hung strings of prayer flags outside their homes and places of spiritual practice. Each flag is printed with mantras, images and prayers. The passage of air across the flags both activates the prayers and carries their vibration into the world thereby promoting peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. As the images on the flags fade with the action of sun and rain, the prayers are absorbed into the universe. While the "flags" in this instance are represented by glass tiles and metal, their essential energy and purpose is maintained.
The tenets of Rotary, specifically the Four Way Test, the Four Avenues of Service, the four original members, the four objects of Rotary - all are represented by the use of multiples of four in the design of the structure - four sides, four groups of four materials.
The sculpture maintains respecct ofr the site through the use of materials and form. The steel structure will weather and become integrated with the four steel panels that have the story of Rotary. The individual tiles are reflections of the larger panels and the motion of the tiles will reference the ongoing changes in the surrounding vegetation.
The Materials are steel, copper, aluminium and glass. These materials have been chosen for their inherent texture, colour and durability. They have also been chosen to complement the design philosophy of the site. The steel framework and tiles will weather to become visually integrated with the existing sculptural panels. The copper and aluminium tiles will continue to weather and transform in texture and colour, reflecting the ongoing changes in the natural plantings on the site. The glass tiles will not transform slowly over time but will continually change with the atmospheric conditions at the site - sparkling in the sunlight, transparent during overcast periods, concentrating the colours of the setting sun.
The tenets of Rotary, specifically the Four Way Test, the Four Avenues of Service, the four original members, the four objects of Rotary - all are represented by the use of multiples of four in the design of the structure - four sides, four groups of four materials.
The sculpture maintains respecct ofr the site through the use of materials and form. The steel structure will weather and become integrated with the four steel panels that have the story of Rotary. The individual tiles are reflections of the larger panels and the motion of the tiles will reference the ongoing changes in the surrounding vegetation.
The Materials are steel, copper, aluminium and glass. These materials have been chosen for their inherent texture, colour and durability. They have also been chosen to complement the design philosophy of the site. The steel framework and tiles will weather to become visually integrated with the existing sculptural panels. The copper and aluminium tiles will continue to weather and transform in texture and colour, reflecting the ongoing changes in the natural plantings on the site. The glass tiles will not transform slowly over time but will continually change with the atmospheric conditions at the site - sparkling in the sunlight, transparent during overcast periods, concentrating the colours of the setting sun.