[TheForge] Public art project

[RIES NIEMI]

There is an old saying in the architecture biz-
"the jobs you do are the jobs you get"
What it means is you tend to get pigeonholed into certain categories based
on your past work. If all you have to show are pictures of candlesticks, its
unlikely someone will take the risk of hiring you to do your first fence.

Someone recently said they saw George Dixon demo, and didnt think anyone
where they lived would pay for that level of quality. If you dont have
samples or photos of the kind of work you want to get, then its probably
true you wont get it.
So you need to put your money where your mouth is, and do some of the kinds
of things you really want to do, even if you dont get paid the first time.
Most famous architect's first built project was a house for their parents-
the only client who would take a risk on an unknown quantity.
If you want to build sculpture, or fences, or furniture, you have to
actually make some on spec, rather than waiting around for someone to
commission you. No one will hire you to do a pair of hand forged driveway
gates if all they have seen you do is mig welded square tube.

With that in mind, I got a mailing recently that may be of interest to some
people, particularly in the southwest. The Port of San Diego is doing a
project where they are commissioning artists to make a "tree" for the
waterfront. They will pay $2000 for the rental of the sculpture for one
year, at which time you get it back. They provide a 12' tall 6" diameter
pipe set in a concrete base for your piece to attach to. Anyone interested
has to make a 1" = 1' scale model of your idea by June 2, Artwork must be
built by Sept 15. 
Contact Port of San Diego at 619-686-7246 or
 website at www.portofsandiego.org

for details on "Urban Trees" project.

This would be a great foot in the door project for those of you who are
interested in doing larger scale sculpture. The money is enough to pay for
materials, and there is always the chance of selling the work to someone who
sees it there, or later when you get it back. Good publicity, a lot of
people will see it, and a good resume item.

"you can not win if you do not play"- Steve Forbert