Client: City of Denver
Location: Denver, CO, United States
Completion date: 2015
Artwork budget: $75,000
Project Team
Artist
Sonya Ishii
Artist
Jim Hirschfield
Overview
With two hundred and ninety six (296), eight inch discs, and a little over a quarter of the discs hosting quotes on the experience of walking, the experience of cycling, and the experience of being mindful of ones surroundings,
A MINDFUL BRIDGE celebrates the pedestrian and the cyclist and is meant to send messages of confirmation to those crossing the bridge, turning the crossing a twelve lane interstate into a more meaningful experience.
Goals
In these turbulent times, it is important to remember the value of focusing inward. A Mindful Bridge celebrates pedestrians and cyclists, and it is meant to send messages of confirmation to those crossing Denver's interstate.
If you have used an interstate pedestrian bridge, you know how unsettling this can be. Vehicles are speeding beneath you, the noise is intense and anyone with the slightest tinge of acrophobia crosses with some trepidation.
The anxiety of crossing the bridge provided the inspiration behind our design that incorporates 296 discs that line the bridge, with a ¼ of the disks hosting quotes from writers, singers, politicians, and practitioners of mindfulness about the experience of walking, the experience of cycling, and the experience of being mindful.
Our goal was to create a visually captivating piece that makes crossing the freeway a thoughtful experience. As one begins their trek they see a bounty of shimmering spheres that escort the trekker throughout their journey. And as they quickly discover the accompanying quotes, many will slow down and focus their attention inward.
Process
We collaborated with the staff of the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs to make certain that the bridges fabrication alined closely with our installation requirements. We also worked together editing the quotes and determining the material standards necessary for a successful conclusion.