Articles Tagged with: Community Art
Home / Blog Archives

Public Artwork and  The History of the Famous Chicago ‘Bean’

Public artwork is captivating and often holds layers of unspoken meaning behind every detail of its creation. Communicating through art is one of the most effective ways to spread a message and make an impact.

When you think of iconic public art displays, the famous Chicago Cloud Gate or more commonly referred to as ‘The Bean’ should come to mind. It’s been featured in countless films and serves as a city symbol, drawing attention daily from locals and tourists alike. It is one of the most photographed attractions for anyone living in or visiting Chicago. Why is it so special and what is the history behind it?

That’s what we’ll be exploring in more detail.

Exploring the Public Artwork of Cloud Gate

In 2004, 30 different artists pitched their design proposals to city government officials, but Sir Anish Kapoor won the opportunity to create the now-famous art structure, Cloud Gate. Located in Millennium Park along The Magnificent Mile — one of the most historic downtown areas of Chicago, you’ll see the impressive construction of public art. 

Inspired by the remarkable downtown Chicago skyline, Sir Anish Kapoor wanted to create a structure that would enhance and depict its unique beauty. People are drawn to its impressive size and wide-scale reflection from all angles. As a magical showpiece sculpture, one of its unique features is that it allows anyone photographing others to be in the photo with them. 

Why Is It Called ‘The Bean’?

Although it was not meant to look like a bean, it is shaped like one nonetheless and most people know it by this reference. However, its original intention was to resemble a rounded gate due to its curved shape that not only reflects the sky but also bends downward.

The artist also found inspiration for this project from the element of liquid mercury and wanted it to resemble the same reflective properties. By doing so, he made this public art display substantially unique and unlike any other global public art display. Visitors are able to touch the structure and interact with it up close experiencing its reflective qualities. The lower curvature of the structure allows visitors to walk underneath ‘The Bean’ and explore more warped and reflective space. Although it is a massive artwork, it appears as lightweight as a cloud. 

More Fun Facts:

  • The stainless steel exterior is seamlessly welded to appear as a single piece of material
  • It is 66 feet long, 42 feet wide and 33 feet high
  • The surface is still safe to touch during the hottest summer day

Chicago Isn’t the Same Without It

Although, it’s been less than 20 years since its reveal, ‘The Bean’ branded Chicago unlike any other pre-existing work of public art. Cloud Gate should serve as a powerful reminder to any aspiring artist of the potential your concept may serve a city or local community. It’s a must-see landmark that is inextricably associated with Chicago. Making that a reality is highly impressive and something that teaches the importance of public artwork. 

EG Structural Supports Better Diversity in the Arts

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design sculpture pieces that highlight their exceptionalism. 

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece or if you have questions about being more involved in public art, contact EG Structural today!

The Most Stop-Worthy Sculptures on Route 66

The famous Route 66 is not only a U.S. Highway but an icon of national history that continues to connect the old with the new. Beginning in Chicago, Illinois in 1926, Route 66 was built to connect mid-west America with the sunny beaches of the west coast. 

The route guides travelers through some of the most remote regions of the U.S., including parts of Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally landing at a pier facing the ocean in Santa Monica, California. 

Some consider this type of road trip to be a spiritual journey, while others make the trip along Route 66 as tourists, ready to experience all the old and new attractions that have emerged along the way.

Either way, along this stretch of 2,400 miles, there are some truly stop-worthy sculpture attractions that are a must-see!

Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texas

Although this ranch is privately owned, it has attracted numerous tourists for its display of old, rustic Cadillacs painted and partially buried into the ground — tail lights facing the sky. This public art display is a strange outlier to the surrounding flat desert of the Texas panhandle. However, many adventurers are enticed to visit Cadilac Ranch as it has become a symbol of the roadside attractions of Route 66.

Wigwam Motel – Holbrook, Arizona

A legendary stop featuring the best of public and functional art is what’s on display at the Wigwam Motel in Arizona. It is not only a must-see, but a must-stay, where travelers can rest inside a piece of art shaped and designed as a large, Native American wigwam. Feel transported into another time by this distinct architectural teepee design with the backdrop of natural scenery. The Route 66 journey is not complete without making this stop.

The Second World’s Largest Rocking Chair – Cuba, Missouri

Also known as the ‘Route 66 Red Rocker’, the average person standing next to this public art sculpture is barely tall enough to see past the curved parallel ends at the bottom. At one point it was documented in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest rocking chair in the world, but in 2015, it was dethroned by a new record located in Casey, Illinois.

Bottle Tree Ranch – Helendale, California

While it is not open to the public, this art display is visible from the road. Hundreds of glass bottles are used as branches on steel tree-like structures that have been collected along Route 66 and are now artfully repurposed.

Route 66 Rising – Tulsa, Oklahoma

Along this iconic stretch of highway, you’ll see “Route 66 Rising” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. To honor the founder of Route 66, Cyrus Avery, Eric Garcia designed a stop-worthy sculpture inside a Tulsa roundabout, marking the intersection of route 66 with alternative paths. Its unique design shows the Route 66 sign rising up from the earth; communicating the hope it offered Oklahoma during the era of the dust bowl tragedy.

Overall, making the journey along Route 66 is sure to be filled with all types of interesting food stops, hotels, and artwork attractions. It is a unique trip that showcases timeless historical treasures along with commemorative storytelling.

EG Structural Supports Better Diversity in the Arts

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design sculpture pieces that highlight their exceptionality. 

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece or if you have questions about being more involved in public art, contact EG Structural today!

How Do Public Art Projects Engage Communities?

Not only are public art projects a reflection of the community in which it stands, but it also attracts people to engage with it. It’s a powerful tool for bringing in tourism, enhancing community members’ health, and encouraging people to get involved in the arts. Even if it’s just appreciating what other people have created.

EG Structural is looking to change how people perceive public art by creating incredible art installations and brand identities that excite the public. However, our mission would amount to nothing without the strong expertise of the custom fabrication professionals we partner with. Read our blog post below on how interactive public art projects attract communities. 

Public Art Creates Social Value and Placemaking

Art has the power to capture one’s imagination and encourage people to pay attention and perceive their environments more deeply. Not only that, it stimulates learning and thoughts about art and its correlation with society, our interconnected lives, and our place in society as a whole. Public art provides everyone in the community with direct and ongoing encounters with art. It engages social interaction—both during the selection process and following installation. And, artwork can lead the viewer toward self-reflection and awareness. 

Art Has the Power to Inspire Collaboration

Another way public art projects engage communities is how it provides a way for people to collaborate. The effort of creating art for public spaces is not a solo venture, it takes a village. Creating public art involves the artist sharing their creative point of view and approach to art-making; often collaborating with others in its development. As a result, there may be a strong sense of ownership in the community as members may feel they were a part of the creative process. 

A great example of this is our Roswell, New Mexico Welcome Signs. We included Roswell residents in our creative process to not only generate excitement towards the project but also gauge their opinions on our concepts. This allowed us to ensure everybody was happy with the work, including those who would see it every day on their commute.

Public Art Generates Greater Economic Value

As mentioned above, art installations have the potential to bring people into one’s community. According to Americans for the Arts, data strongly indicates that cities with an active and dynamic cultural scene are more attractive to individuals and businesses. What this means is that art can help grow interest in areas of the city and generate revenue for the organizations around it. That is why it’s important to consider investing in public art in community beautification projects, new business developments, and much more. 

Public Art Does What Art Museums Don’t

Not to say art museums aren’t important, because they are. But, public art provides a stronger sense of community and opens people’s minds and eyes to free installations. It’s free admission to a piece of art that demands our attention on things that matter to us as people:

  • Our community’s history.
  • Our sense of place.
  • Brings meaning within a community.
  • Illuminates the quality of life of the city in which it is located.

EG Structural Creates Sculpture Pieces That Inspire

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!

Larger Than Life: Large-Scale Art That Resonates

A piece of large-scale art can change one’s environment drastically. It can have tremendous positive effects on many things for your community. This blog post is dedicated to informing you on how large sculpture pieces can draw people into a property. 

Whether you’re a community space or a company, we believe you have a story. At EG Structural, it is our mission to bring it to life. We’re founded on the principle that functional public art can exhibit the incredible identity behind the communities and commercial properties where they stand. Read our article below to learn how large-scale art resonates with your community.

Public Art Installations Create a Community Identity

Large-scale art is a powerful tool in creating a sense of community identity. It has the power to create a display that emphasizes everything unique to one’s home. Whether it honors your town’s history, people, culture, or geography, public art has a way of bringing out your community’s uniqueness. By adding installations that highlight the community’s rich history, it connects people towards a common landmark resulting in greater pride for where they live or grew up.

Large-Scale Art Can Test Human Perception and Introspection

As you probably well know, art has a tremendous impact on our mental and emotional state. It can evoke a strong response that oftentimes can leave us feeling happy, angry, sad, and even confused. When you amplify it by its sheer size, it can evoke even more feelings!

Investing in large-scale sculptures or monumental buildings has always been a good way to exercise power, to amaze, or sometimes simply to inspire. Big has been seen as equal to mighty. That is why statues and sculptures in ancient Greece and Rome were made to be larger than life, to emphasize the power and might of subjects like gods and heroes. 

Today is no different. We still get inspired by large sculpture pieces and we’re left in awe at the sheer craftsmanship to build such a structure. A skilled public artist will have the skills and knowledge needed to build a piece of public art that truly resonates.

Large-Scale Art Can Inspire Appreciation for the Arts

As mentioned, large-scale art installations can inspire awe, and draw out deep emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger. Additionally, it can satisfy our appetite for something beautiful and engaging. Art appreciation is in the details, the craftsmanship, the creative vision, and the execution of an idea. 

Well-executed public art reveals its meaning over time, influencing repeated visits and greater interest in communities. Additionally, it has the ability to beautify our shared environment and celebrate the things that make us great. Not everyone can visit an art museum or attend a gallery, but public art is for everyone.

EG Structural Are Creative Public Artists

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design an open-air sculpture piece 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!

Zen and the Art of Custom Fabrication

Breathe in, breathe out. Finding your zen is more than just a few breathing exercises and finding peace within yourself. It’s about finding peace in the comforts of your surroundings. When it comes to public art, it has the power to bring a sense of ease to a community. But, to achieve it, you need a partner who handles custom fabrication. Why? Because many artists aren’t equipped with the technical skills to turn their big concepts into reality. In a way, fabricators are sculpture artists’ zen.

For over 25 years, EG Structural has been reimagining how communities engage with public art. We take pride in highlighting the best of one’s community through functional large-scale art installations. However, none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of the custom fabrication experts we partner with on our projects. This article is meant to highlight why they’re so vital in public art. 

Custom Fabrication Engineers Are the Answer to “How Will We Build This?”

We’ve all likely been there, we create a concept so big and proud that we have no idea how to bring it to life. For a public artist such as Eric Garcia, he encounters it all the time. Fortunately, we’ve worked with several professionals to help turn ideas into landmarks. 

When you partner with fabrication engineers, you’re provided with the support and knowledge needed to effectively build your idea. They’re simply paramount in the installation process as they’ll know how to situate your large-scale art securely and accurately with respect to the concept. 

What Do Custom Fabricators Do?

Metal fabrication contractors use manual tools alongside machinery to create metal objects or structures by bending, cutting, and assembling various metal materials. They work very closely with their clients on what they are looking for and determine the best course of action in how to achieve their vision. When working on our projects, custom fabrication experts will examine our conceptual designs and strategically figure out what needs to be done to craft its shape and scale. 

How Do Custom Fabrication Professionals Work With Public Artists?

According to The New York Times, “fabricating is a bit like producing a record; you are trying to enhance the artist’s vision, which is sometimes meticulously conceived and other times inchoate”. We’re artists, we don’t conceive our pieces with what materials we’ll use or how we’ll install them in mind. At least, not entirely. This is often an afterthought that isn’t considered until after conceptualization. 

The artist will work with the fabrication engineer in developing a strategy and brainstorm ways to bring the art to life. This involves determining the overall look and feel of the sculpture piece by figuring out what materials should be used to construct the piece. Some materials EG Structural has used in its large-scale art include:

  • Foam
  • Acrylics
  • Plaster
  • Steel
  • LED lighting
  • And much more

EG Structural Partners With the Best Custom Fabrication Engineers

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!

What Exactly are Floating Sculptures?

The world of art is always full of surprises due to the incredible imagination of the artist. One type of art that is blowing the minds of art enthusiasts is floating sculptures. This type of art isn’t anything new, but the work people are doing is absolutely amazing.

Whether you’re a community space or a company, we believe you have a story. At EG Structural, it is our mission to bring it to life. We’re founded on the principle that functional public art can exhibit the incredible identity behind the communities and commercial properties where they stand. Read our article below to learn what exactly floating sculptures are and how they can be used to invigorate your community.

What Are Floating Sculptures?

Simply put, floating sculptures are pieces that defy gravity. They entrance the public in that they look like they’re literally floating in the air. Here are some examples of these sculpture pieces:

If you visit downtown Phoenix, you might find yourself at Civic Space Park where Janet Echelman’s Her Secret is Patience flies overhead. Often described as a giant jellyfish, the public art installation is a 100-foot tall sculpture made of high-tech netting suspended above the park. 

According to Arizona Republic art critic, Richard Nilsen, “The poles and guy wires disappear against the night sky and the jellyfish itself burns with the light that shines on it, revealing the colors that were lost against the brightness of the daytime sky. It loses all the sagging weight of daytime and instead floats weightlessly above the park, a ball of transcendence.”

Another example of a floating sculpture is Jerzy Kędziora’s work, where figures float above the ground, frozen in jumps, summersaults, and other acrobatic feats. Captured in athletic poses, in some cases upside down, the figures in his sculptures are often portrayed holding props such as a chair, ladder, or hoops. Yet rather than being purely about movement or exercise, Kędziora’s work is imbued with a deeper message about the nature of human life.

How Can These Sculpture Pieces Benefit Communities?

As public artists, it is our job to create designs that resonate and highlight the community’s rich history.  When installing a floating sculpture in your town, you are bringing a sense of identity to the area. Doing so results in a deeper pride from residents, and demands the attention of out-of-towners.

Additionally, installing these sculpture pieces has the potential to influence greater art appreciation. As you probably know, large-scale art installations can inspire awe, and draw out deep emotions from their viewers. It satisfies our appetite for something beautiful and engaging. It’s all about the details, the craftsmanship, creative vision, and execution of an idea. With these types of sculptures, you better believe we have these and then some.

We touched upon it a little bit previously, but public art installations have the power to attract tourism. One of the biggest things communities benefit from when installing open-air sculptures and other public art pieces is its ability to draw in tourists. We’re attracted to beauty and unique things. So, installing a piece that defies gravity can be one of the ways your town attracts visitors. 

EG Structural is Open For Public Art Commissions

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design an open-air sculpture piece 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!

Captivating Public Art Installations Around the World

When you hear the words “public art,” you probably think of one of two things. First, historical landmarks commemorating a certain person or event that took place in your community. Or, you might picture big conceptual sculpture pieces that leave a lot to the imagination. Maybe you think of both? And you’d actually be right. But, art can take many different shapes and sizes to captivate the communities in which they’re located. 

Whether you’re a community space or a company, we believe you have a story. At EG Structural, it is our mission to bring it to life. We’re founded on the principle that functional public art can exhibit the incredible identity behind the communities and commercial properties where they stand. Read our article below to learn about the many installations that are gracing their communities. 

Public Art in Phoenix, Arizona: Her Secret Is Patience

If you visit downtown Phoenix, you might find yourself at Civic Space Park where Janet Echelman’s Her Secret is Patience flies overhead. Often described as a giant jellyfish, the public art installation is a 100-foot tall sculpture made of high-tech netting suspended above the park. 

According to Arizona Republic art critic, Richard Nilsen, “The poles and guy wires disappear against the night sky and the jellyfish itself burns with the light that shines on it, revealing the colors that were lost against the brightness of the daytime sky. It loses all the sagging weight of daytime and instead floats weightless above the park, a ball of transcendence.”

Public Art With a Purpose

Non-Violence, or The Knotted Gun, was created by Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd and installed next to the United Nations in New York City. Reuterswärd created the sculpture piece after the assassination of John Lennon. It is an oversized Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver with its muzzle tied in a knot. It’s meant to symbolize an end to gun violence and enrich the consciousness of humanity by advocating for peace. 

Reuterswärd’s sculpture is an excellent example of how art can have a powerful message that resonates for years to come.

Fearless in New York City

Positioned in front of the famous Charging Bull statue within New York City’s Financial District. The statue represents a defiant, unapologetic statement against gender inequality.

European sculptor Kristen Visbal was commissioned to build the statue by investment firm State Street Global Advisors. The idea behind it was to put pressure on 787 all-male boards into adding more female members. Since its installation, it’s become a cultural icon that has been featured in countless publications, broadcasts, and more.

EG Structural is Proud to Create Large Scale Public Art

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design an open-air sculpture piece 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!

3 Ways Public Art and Branding Go Hand-in-Hand

While many people may not realize it, art and branding go hand-in-hand. Consumers are very design-conscious and respond positively towards artistic-based communications. With a number of competitors fighting for their attention, having something to set you apart is key to your success. That’s where public art comes in.

Whether you’re a community space or a company, we believe you have a story. At EG Structural, it is our mission to bring it to life. We’re founded on the principle that functional public art can exhibit the incredible identity behind the communities and commercial properties where they stand. Read our article below to learn how art can help push your brand to the next level. 

Art is a Form of Communication

Communication is essential in attracting old and new customers by playing a role in highlighting the values of one’s products and company. When you incorporate the right art it can support the company’s corporate identity, history, values, and overall mission. Adding public art to your business brings another level of meaning to your brand. 

Public Art Installations Capture Company Culture

Looking to attract and retain employees? Public art is an excellent way to boost morale and beautify your corporate spaces. 

Last year, EG Structural had the pleasure of partnering with Hines Development on a private commission project to produce a sculpture for their new Phoenix office. They’re an incredible company with developments across the United States. They’re continuously growing and experienced in what they do. We wanted to capture that in our sculpture piece to highlight the company’s strong company culture.

EG Structural’s founder and artist, Eric Garcia, personally developed several designs that embodied the spirit of this wonderful organization. Finally, one design stuck out from the rest. One that incorporates elements of nature, motion, and growth in an 18×7 foot space to inspire those who see it. 

Eric used an assortment of mixed media for the commission project such as wood, styrofoam, paper mache, paper towels, acrylic, and plaster to construct a large tree with leaves falling from the branches. The tree symbolizes the idea of growth and stability, correlating with Hines’ experience and continued expansion.

Public Art and Marketing: Two Peas in a Pod 

According to Vadim Grigoryan, a marketer specializing in corporate art projects, “both art and marketing create images.” Art plays a significant role in influencing marketing and advertising across its many mediums. Look at Grigoryan’s Absolut Vodka campaign. He oversaw Absolut’s return to the art world after an absence of more than 10 years by arranging collaborations with prestigious artists from around the world. 

Today, Grigoryan teaches students how art engagement helps push a company’s branding even further. Some highlights include:

  • Creativity is the art of making unexpected connections and it cannot exist without understanding what’s going on in the world.
  • Implement the principles of citations. “Be a thief, a cocktail-maker,” he says, reminiscent of Picasso’s adage of “stealing” from other artists; find inspiration from the ideas around you.
  • Creating something radically new requires destruction. ”This sounds scary,” he acknowledges, “but you have to be ready to tear up old ideas.”
  • Don’t underestimate emotional appeal.
  • Anything can be art, anything can become media.

Elevate Your Branding With EG Structural

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 commercial sculpture piece, contact EG Structural today and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible!

Electrify Your Community with the Power of Public Art Installations

Being a part of a community is more than just having cool shops to go to and having a strong support system from local leaders. It’s about feeling like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. When it comes to creating such a community, public art installations play a heavy role. While some people view public landmarks as a way to beautify spaces (they’re not wrong), art can be used to give life to the community identity. 

EG Structural is on a mission to enrich communities with exciting large-scale art installations that drive their economy and beautify their spaces. We’re founded on the principle that functional sculpture pieces can exhibit the incredible identity behind communities and commercial properties. Creating public landmarks has a tremendous effect on what makes our towns special – even when you don’t realize it. Read our blog post below and learn how public art installations can energize your community. 

Public Art Installations Create a Sense of Place

When it comes to creating a community identity, look no further than public art. It has the power to create a display that emphasizes everything unique to one’s home. Whether it honors the history, people, culture, or geography, art has a way of bringing out your community’s uniqueness.

As public artists, it is our job to create designs that resonate and highlight the community’s rich history. Doing so results in a deeper pride from residents and connects them with a common landmark.

Public Art Installations Create Appreciation for the Arts

As you may know, large-scale art installations can inspire awe, and draw out deep emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger. Additionally, it can satisfy our appetite for something beautiful and engaging. Art appreciation is in the details, the craftsmanship, the creative vision, and the execution of an idea. 

Well-executed public art reveals its meaning over time, influencing repeated visits and greater interest in communities. Additionally, it has the ability to beautify our shared environment and celebrate the things that make us great. Not everyone can visit an art museum or attend a gallery, but public art is for everyone.

Public Art Attracts Tourists and Grows the Economy

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the President’s Committee on the Arts, 35.3 million adults say art or a cultural related event influences their choice of destination. This creates a huge opportunity for municipalities to invest in public art installations to invigorate tourism in their cities. 

Once the public art piece is installed, communities can use innovative ways to encourage tourism towards their installations. Many cities are incorporating art walks, after-dark tours, and putting marketing towards their landmarks. Additionally, partnering up with local organizations creates unique opportunities for people to encounter art and engage with local businesses. 

EG Structural Creates Beloved Community Art Installations

One of the greatest things a municipality can do in its beautification initiative is to partner with an artist. EG Structural develops public art installations that embody what a community is about and attracts individuals to the landmark. Moreover, our work will grab the attention of out-of-towners and generate a new source of tourism dollars. We have a passion for public art, and fully believe it can set your city apart from the rest. Contact EG Structural today to learn how our founder and artist, Eric Garcia, can help beautify your city.

© EG Structural All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy