Lift Off (sculpture)
Encyclopedia
Lift Off is a public artwork by American
artist David Black, located at the CityVista Condominium at the intersection of 5th St NW & K St NW
in Washington, D.C.
, United States
. Lift Off was created through DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
. A welded (3/8-inch x 1/2-inch) aluminum plate with four crossbeams form the main skeleton of the work. Each crossbeam features a small floodlight
on the end which illuminates the scallop like, origami
inspired parts.
A small love seat is placed at the central base for visitors to relax and immerse themselves within the artwork, which is easily accessible to visitors who are encouraged to interact with the piece. The work was inspired by children flying kites at the Smithsonian Kite Festival
.
by Ethan Kerber, on April 6 2010.
Discussing the work Lift Off, Black stated: “The sculpture appears kinetic as one passes by – reflecting the spirit and vibrancy of the new neighborhood,".
stated that:
Neighborhood blogs erupted upon the works selection and installation. The work has been described as an "unfinished building construction, clad in taxi cab yellow, on steroids." However, neighborhood response has been generally positive, celebrating the fact that the work helps define the location of CityVista, the Mount Vernon neighborhood, and provides a unique meeting spot. In December 2010, the sculpture was used as the site for children to get photographs with Santa Claus
for the holidays.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artist David Black, located at the CityVista Condominium 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...
. Lift Off was created through DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Description
Lift Off is a yellow, canopy like, abstract sculpture that sits on the corner of the CityVista building in front of Busboys and PoetsBusboys 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...
. A welded (3/8-inch x 1/2-inch) aluminum plate with four crossbeams form the main skeleton of the work. Each crossbeam features a small floodlight
High-intensity discharge lamp
High-intensity discharge lamps are a type of electrical lamp which produces light by means of an electric arc between tungsten electrodes housed inside a translucent or transparent fused quartz or fused alumina arc tube. This tube is filled with both gas and metal salts. The gas facilitates the...
on the end which illuminates the scallop like, origami
Origami
is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which started in the 17th century AD at the latest and was popularized outside Japan in the mid-1900s. It has since then evolved into a modern art form...
inspired parts.
A small love seat is placed at the central base for visitors to relax and immerse themselves within the artwork, which is easily accessible to visitors who are encouraged to interact with the piece. The work was inspired by children flying kites at the Smithsonian Kite Festival
Smithsonian Kite Festival
The Blossom Kite Festival, formerly the Smithsonian Kite Festival, is an annual kite event usually held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. near the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in late March. The 2011 kite festival took place on the Washington Monument grounds on Sunday,...
.
Acquisition
David Black was chosen by a collaboration led by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, the Office of City Planning, Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District and community organizers. $250,000 was acquired to fund the design, creation and installation of the work. A reason cited for selecting the work was that it inspired interaction and use of the new neighborhood plaza.Installation
Concrete footings were installed in 2008 and the sculpture's installation began in November 2009.Dedication
The second work of art commissioned for the CityVista condominium complex, Lift Off was dedicated, alongside InspirationInspiration (sculpture)
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...
by Ethan Kerber, on April 6 2010.
David Black
Black is known for his pavilion like works, which incorporate architectural design with traditional sculptural methods.Discussing the work Lift Off, Black stated: “The sculpture appears kinetic as one passes by – reflecting the spirit and vibrancy of the new neighborhood,".
Community Reception
All Busboys and Poets locations feature public artworks, and when asked about his views on the new artwork, restaurant owner Andy ShallalAndy Shallal
Anas "Andy" Shallal is an Iraqi-American artist, activist and restaurateur. He is best known for his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and as proprietor of the Busboys and Poets restaurant chain in the Washington, DC area.-Early life:Shallal moved to the United States with his family in 1966...
stated that:
Public art is a way to connect those living in a neighborhood with each other's humanity. It soothes the soul, lifts the spirit and touches everyone who passes by in a way nothing else can. Having such grand art next to Busboys and Poets has forever defined the corner of 5th and K, NW in the boldest of terms.
Neighborhood blogs erupted upon the works selection and installation. The work has been described as an "unfinished building construction, clad in taxi cab yellow, on steroids." However, neighborhood response has been generally positive, celebrating the fact that the work helps define the location of CityVista, the Mount Vernon neighborhood, and provides a unique meeting spot. In December 2010, the sculpture was used as the site for children to get photographs with Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
for the holidays.