A new sculpture was recently added to Bellingham's collection of public art, thanks to its Percent for Arts program.
The metal sculpture has been installed in the North End Regional Pond (NERP), near the recently completed Mahogany Avenue. The sculpture, which is the work of artist Noah Ives, is called ‘Rain Flower’, and sits in the pond.
As water fluctuates, the appearance of the sculpture changes. This means that the artwork will look slightly different every time someone sees it, even if they have looked at it only a few minutes before. Ives created the work from sheet steel, which he cut into 85 flower petals and welded together.
Ives said that the beauty of the area inspired him to create ‘Rain Flower’, which resembles both an architectural structure and a flower, and is a solid object that has openings that will admit light, rain, and wind. He also noted that time itself is important in the design, since the metal will weather over the coming months, changing from steel gray to a rusty orange.
Installing works like this in public spaces cements Bellingham's reputation as a regional destination for the arts. This particular piece will create visual interest in both Mahogany Avenue and a pedestrian trail that lies next to the pond. Banner printing can be used to create decorations when dedication ceremonies for pieces like this are planned.
