Fall Public Art Series from Conception to Completion Part 1

FPAC's Fall Public Art Series is funded by a grant from The Fund for The Arts, a public program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible by generous support from anonymous donors. Floating art is sponsored by generous support of The Friends of Fort Point Channel. Special thanks to the City of Boston, The Department of Public Works, and The Boston Art Commission for support and assistance.

An interview with Michael Moss and Claudia Ravaschiere

"Street Cathedral"

Fall Public Art Series in Fort Point

FPAC: How did you come up with the inspiration for your public art project in Fort Point?

CR & MM: We first worked with these materials in 2006 when we were part of the public art project sponsored by the FPCC utilizing repurposed windows from buildings in Fort Point that were being renovated. There was an installation along the post office fence on A Street. Each artist was given a window to transform. We created a piece entitled ”Candy Glass”. The piece was in the office at the Midway Artists’ Studios until a few years ago.

“Street Cathedral” uses these similar materials. The piece is made to create areas of discovery, manipulate the light and evoke both reverence and whimsy. We wanted to do a piece that would celebrate Fort Point as a special place full of possibilities, and a place to gather, as it has always been for artists.

One quality that was important for us to evoke, was the nature of the glass that is in the warehouse buildings’ windows. Having been in these buildings for many years, the original glass in the windows create amazing effects when the sunlight streams through the panes of glass. Though they are clear, the original glass in these windows causes the light to shimmer like water, and even take on a prismatic quality. Sadly as these buildings are renovated and these windows replaced, this will be lost. It has always been something that we loved about the buildings in Fort Point.

It was equally important for us to place “Street Cathedral” squarely within a contemporary sensibility. So we designed these pieces to possess a scientific quality, mathematical and physical. In this way they are very much in the present day and evoke the future as well as the past.

FPAC: Was it difficult to choose a location within the area?

CR & MM: No, we knew that we wanted to place the piece where people could stand and see several at the same time, much the way one would if they were in a sacred place with stained glass windows. At first we thought that the street signs would be a problem, but because it is public art and meant to be integrated into the urbanscape, we were ultimately happy with the way the installation appeared from different positions from the street signs which are so very much a part of any urban street. Again, it adds to the sense of discovery. Gabrielle Schaffner, Karin Goodfellow, Caitlin Greely, Commissioner Joanne Massaro and Anne McNeil at Public Works were all very helpful in helping obtain the permits for this project.

FPAC: Can you talk about your method and materials in constructing your project?

CR & MM: We consulted with a number of chemical engineers and plastics fabricators to ensure that the construction would be sound. We subjected the pieces to water, weight, pressure, heat, and cold. As we mentioned, we hope that the method in which they are constructed will evoke a shimmering quality to the light in addition to manipulation of natural light into color.

With public art, because it is in the truest sense, naked to the world, you have to ask yourself, “Will this work?” You toss and turn at night, but after a certain point in the project, you have to grab the wheel and as they say; “Drive like you stole it” and just get it out there and put the work forth. At a certain point it becomes more about what you are offering to people with a random spirit and complete faith beyond whatever you originally intended.

FPAC: How do you hope your work will connect with the public and community?

We hope that as people walk through Fort Point that these pieces will bring them a sense discovery and joy. To illustrate that Fort Point is a special place, full of history, creativity and constantly evolving, much like the light that changes throughout the day. Here one can find innovation inspired by something ancient like the stained glass of sacred places.

The fall public art projects were selected by a jury of artists, arts professionals, and community members:

Ricardo Barreto, Director of the UrbanArts Institute at Mass. College of Art & Design (Floating art only).

Kate Gilbert, Director of Public Programs and Outreach at Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, artist.

Danielle Pillion, Executive Director of Friends of Fort Point Channel.

Karen Stein, previous recipient of FPAC Public Art Series Funding, FPAC Board member, artist/designer of goodgood.

Mary Tinti, NEFA Public Art Fellow, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum Koch Curatorial Fellow.

Jane Marsching, Associate Professor at Massachusetts College of Art, artist.