Creating large-scale art pieces is a rewarding experience. Not just for us artists, but for those who commission us for their projects. Whether it’s for your commercial property or a municipal space, private art commissions empower the areas they occupy.
EG Structural was founded on the principle of creating functional public art installations that evoke a response. We work with you to identify your unique brand identity and ways to bring it to life through large-scale sculpture pieces. Read our article below and learn how we achieve this.
Planning
Just like with any art piece, planning ensures the project goes off without a hitch. It is during this stage that we identify key components of your brand and what exactly you are looking for in your large-scale art commission.
We conduct extensive research into your brand; looking into your history, location, local amenities, and other unique characteristics of your community. Once we compile these details, we hand them off to our artist and founder, Eric Garcia to work his magic.
It’s not uncommon for us to have a concept already in mind for certain projects. But to truly connect with your brand, we use our research to help us add elements associated with your community.
For instance, Roswell, New Mexico is more than just a UFO town. When we were commissioned to create welcome signs for this community we wanted to incorporate elements that symbolize their community (with a UFO twist!). As a result, we came up with three themes for the signs: the 1947 UFO crash, a flying saucer, and the town’s agricultural roots.
During the planning phase of this project, we heavily encouraged public feedback. We met with city officials and held several town meetings to give residents the chance to voice their opinions on our designs. Through this, we were able to identify elements that evoke a response, not only from tourists but residents.
Implementing Large-Scale Art
The most strenuous stage of large-scale art is the installation process. This involves many elements to bring the project to life. Including:
- Coordinating production
- Getting the site ready for installation
- Transporting the large-scale art piece
- Efficiently installing the piece on the site
EG Structural works with several professionals in identifying these key components for a successful installation. Additionally, we work closely with city officials on setting up the location for the sculpture piece, this involves soil testing, permitting, zoning, and identifying public and private land. Also, we work with structural engineers to develop solutions that help the structure withstand the area’s weather and other harsh conditions.
The Tulsa Route 66 project challenged us in a number of ways due to its large scale. We had to account for Oklahoma’s range of severe weather conditions and what it means for a project of its size. Additionally, being at the center of a round-about, the monument had to be installed with drivers’ safety in mind. The structure is also in the landing direction of the Tulsa airport. So, we worked with city officials and federal aviation guidelines to ensure the installation’s lighting would not impact the planes overhead.
Ensure Your Large-Scale Art Stands the Test of Time
While we use materials that are capable of maintaining the structural integrity of your sculpture, it will need routine maintenance. This ensures your sculpture piece will stand the test of time and visitors can engage with it for years to come. According to Artwork Archive, a typical maintenance plan includes:
- Estimate of any upfront costs of conservation
- Discuss ways to keep the art safe from the public
- Create a plan and timeline for routine maintenance and conservation (repainting, etc.)
- Identify how to maintain the large-scale art piece and what materials should be used.
- Allocate a budget for maintenance
EG Structural Turns Brands into Large-Scale Art
At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. For over 25 years, Eric Garcia has provided strong conceptual design to develop timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design a sculpture that highlights their exceptionality.
If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece, contact EG Structural today and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible!