IMMENSE MODE LEGS STAND TALL
Artistic, technical marvel greets commuters at transit station
According to the Oxford Dictionary, a landmark is “an object or feature that is easily recognized from a distance, especially one that enables someone to establish their location.” That definition seems fitting for Immense Mode, the 20-foot-tall, 42,000-pound brick and glass mosaic sculpture that has whimsically welcomed commuters and shoppers at the Southgate Transit Station since 2009.
“When we initially began brainstorming for the project we wanted to propose something fun and unique,” said Brian McArthur — one of Immense Mode’s co-creators, along with Dawn Detarando — who recently reminisced about answering the City of Edmonton’s invitation to submit public art concepts for the Southgate Transit site.
Detarando and McArthur are traditionally trained artists who hold MFA credentials and a long list of awards and accolades, but even they were surprised to learn that their massive submission, inspired by the local commuters travelling through their day, had been chosen by the comprehensive, juried selection process.
“The committee involved in selecting public works of art is comprised of local stakeholders, including the neighbouring residents, businesses, and field experts,” said Katherine Kerr, public art director for the Edmonton Arts Council, who noted that the submission was not your ordinary work of art. Due to its enormous size, additional safety measures were taken into consideration. “We collaborated with engineers to ensure that the creative work would be structurally sound from a public safety perspective.”
Safety was of paramount importance to both Detarando and McArthur, as they had intended the work to be part of the living community, with the shoes offering a place to sit while the legs provided shade. Working out of their Red Deerbased business — Voyager Art and Tile — the creative duo began to plan out the project that would take two years to see through to completion.
“If you were to look at the whole thing at once,” said McArthur, “it would be overwhelming.”
The complexity of the project is easily overlooked by the playful subject matter of striped stockings and well-worn shoes, but the science behind the art is truly remarkable. The 42,000-pound structure not only comprises the visible bricks and tiles, but also hides an internal, supportive metal armature that was designed by a team of engineers collaborating with Detarando and McArthur. Each leg measured 20 feet high, with a calf circumference of approximately four feet and anchored by shoes that were 13 feet long.
The engineers designed a platform that secured the structure 20 feet below grade to stabilize the weight.
Immense Mode required 7,600 bricks that were precisely carved, glazed and fired. Each brick had a specific location, and was numbered and stamped so that it could be transported and reassembled on-site. Anatomic details were taken into consideration, as the bricks and shoes began to create the realistic curves of the calves and anklebones, transitioning to shoes that displayed specific creases and toe impressions, which would be expected from a comfortable pair of commuting shoes.
The project assembly schedule involved five weeks of gruelling 14hour days, and got off to an ominous start. To accommodate the surrounding businesses and avoid interfering with transit access, Detarando and McArthur began to erect the set of metal armatures at 3 a.m.
“At the initial installation, there was a crazy electrical storm,” said McArthur. “We had a large crane to lift and place the armatures, sticking up 30 to 40 feet in the air. It looked like a giant lighting rod.”
Admitting that they probably shouldn’t have continued, McArthur recalled their decision to push on, as they had begun the process and felt the weight of the time restrictions they needed to adhere to. However, they had to endure a variety of construction conundrums. The fired bricks would often shrink from the original design concept, requiring on-the-spot carving and mortar adjustments.
“The heat was pretty intense, as we were out in middle of the asphalt between the buses from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m,” said McArthur. “And not everyone was excited to see the project, but as the install continued and they witnessed the labour involved, most began to appreciate the sculpture and respect the work.”
Their regular presence added to the public’s interest. Curiosity built into a rapport with passersby, as the project slowly took form and the commuters began to appreciate the diligent craftsmanship that was required to complete the work. Detarando shared one unforgettable story about the impact Immense Mode had on a young woman with disabilities who was attending an Edmonton university during the construction.
“The girl had done a report for her class, noting our piece Immense Mode as being a powerful reminder of strength,” said Detarando, who recalled that the woman had been the victim of a brutal attack, and the sculpture reminded her of being strong, tough and sturdy. “Seeing the artwork daily gave her strength and energy to get through the awful pain and memories. This story brought me to tears. It gave me a sense of overwhelming pride for what we do as artists. Our goal is always to make a positive connection with the public.”
Dawn Detarando and Brian McArthur can be contacted through their website at www.voyagertile.ca. For more information regarding public art for the City of Edmonton, call 311 or visit www. edmontonarts.ca.