Inspiration (sculpture)
Encyclopedia
Inspiration is a public artwork by American
artist Ethan Kerber, located at a commercial building at the intersection of 5th St NW & K St NW
in Washington, D.C.
, United States
. "Inspiration" was created through DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
on the facade of the CityVista building just north of Busboys and Poets
. At 25 feet by 25 feet; it consists of five panels which are made up of 80 custom CNC plasma cut
metal sheets. It weighs about 3,500 pounds. Painted in shades of blue, the design represents exhaled breath on a cold day.
, Ethan Kerber was raised in New York City. Working primarily with metal his work is inspired by the street art that he saw throughout the city as a youth. Kerber describes his art as "a reflection in metal of the urban environment around us." His work is seen also at the Oakland Zoo
. He works under the name Midnight Metal Works Inc.
. Kerber worked closely with architects and engineers to use digital design to create an efficient and creative work. The final image was programmed into a plasma cutter which precisely cut the image. According to Kerber, the title "Inspiration" refers to "the source of creativity as well as the functional role in relation to the building's system of breathing."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artist Ethan Kerber, located at a commercial building at the intersection of 5th St NW & K St NW
K Street (Washington, D.C.)
K Street is a major thoroughfare in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. known as a center for numerous think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups.-Location:...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. "Inspiration" was created through DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Description
This metal sculpture is placed on an air intake ventDuct (HVAC)
Ducts are used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to deliver and remove air. These needed airflows include, for example, supply air, return air, and exhaust air. Ducts also deliver, most commonly as part of the supply air, ventilation air...
on the facade of the CityVista building just north of Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore, lounge, and theater in Washington, D.C., founded in 2005 by Andy Shallal. A second location opened in Shirlington in 2007; a third location opened in Washington, D.C., in 2008; and a fourth in Hyattsville, Maryland opened in July 2011...
. At 25 feet by 25 feet; it consists of five panels which are made up of 80 custom CNC plasma cut
Plasma cutting
Plasma cutting is a process that is used to cut steel and other metals of different thicknesses using a plasma torch...
metal sheets. It weighs about 3,500 pounds. Painted in shades of blue, the design represents exhaled breath on a cold day.
Artist
A Masters student at San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
, Ethan Kerber was raised in New York City. Working primarily with metal his work is inspired by the street art that he saw throughout the city as a youth. Kerber describes his art as "a reflection in metal of the urban environment around us." His work is seen also at the Oakland Zoo
Oakland Zoo
Oakland Zoo, in the past known as the Knowland Zoo, is a zoo located in southeastern Oakland, California, United States. Oakland Zoo is relatively small for a city of its size, but it contains modern exhibits. Most of its animals are kept in relatively "natural" habitats, and expanded natural...
. He works under the name Midnight Metal Works Inc.
Acquisition
In 2009 the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, DC Office of Planning, CityVista and the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District selected Kerber to create a "dynamic" installation for an exterior wall at CityVista. The sculpture was installed on March 1, 2010.Information
"Inspiration" was created using three-dimensional modeling software3D computer graphics software
3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery. This article covers only some of the software used.-Uses:...
. Kerber worked closely with architects and engineers to use digital design to create an efficient and creative work. The final image was programmed into a plasma cutter which precisely cut the image. According to Kerber, the title "Inspiration" refers to "the source of creativity as well as the functional role in relation to the building's system of breathing."