Mosaic Birthday Cake
Installation Date: February 16, 2009
Dimensions: 28" across - approx 36" tall
Working with my students at Hera Community School in Oregon City, we studied the history of Oregon through the lens of Clackamas County and created a custom tiered mosaic birthday cake for Oregon’s 150th birthday. The cake base is approximately 2 feet in diameter with multiple layers. The cake reflects the historical importance of Clackamas County and it’s unique place in Oregon’s history with Oregon City as the first city and the culture & heritage of the region. The cake celebrates Oregon’s milestone and the interconnected facets of Clackamas County including Native Americans, the Willamette Falls, notable Oregonians, the Oregon Trail pioneers-quilting-wagon trains, agriculture, the Mt. Hood area, outdoor activities, and looks to the future - including sustainability and eco-tourism.
Cake Symbolism
Bottom layer-SUMMER -12 Notable Oregonians or people who helped establish Oregon as a territory.
Second Layer-FALL- 12 facts about FIRSTS in Oregon City / Clackamas County.
Third Layer- WINTER- 6 State Symbols-Salmon, Beaver, Pear, Western Meadowlark, Oregon SwallowTale Butterfly, Thunderegg.
Fourth Layer- SPRING-Mt. Hood-6 Tiles with ACTIVITIES listed-"Things to do in the Mt. Hood Territory" Also on this layer, water which is designed to cascade down the cake. It represents the rivers, lakes and waterfalls that are abundant in Clackamas County. The Willamette Falls area has been a important area for trade for over 3000 years. The Falls provided the Native Americans with a sustainable livelihood.
FIFTH layer- ( it is the round part) Is in SUN colors. 33 tiles are embeded which represent OREGON as the 33 state- Each tile has a word that relates to Oregon’s present and future.
SIXTH Layer-Top - Continue with Sunset Colors- Has 5 diamond shaped glass tiles..Oregon City Elevator, Oregon City/West Linn Bridge, State Seal, Tulip Field, Wind Mill.
TOP OF CAKE- The top of the cake is designed to represent the concept of "KEEP OREGON GREEN" Preserving the treasures of Oregon's natural beauty and sustaining it for future generations is the over all theme of the cake. Oregon has historically been at the forefront of new technologies and sustainability. We believe Oregon will continue to pioneer new, inventive, "Green Technologies" which will benefit our beloved state and planet creating a sustainable future for us all.
CAKE PLATTER- IS GOLD and BLUE Mirror tiles which represent Oregon’s State Colors.
50 charms representing different aspects of Oregon with OREGON SUNSTONES hang from bottom of platter. There are 2 charms for each design.
Partnership
Artist and educator Anna Meyrick is passionate about using arts as a vehicle for learning. Anna's work with Hera Community School students on the Mosaic Birthday Cake demonstrates the value of that. Bringing the Cake to a 3-dimensional reality required students to solve design and concept problems, use math and research skills, and work together toward a common goal through thinking and dialogue. The extraordinary result of that focus is dazzling, and a proud accomplishment for Anna and Hera students.
Clackamas County Arts Alliance is an enthusiastic sponsor of this project because it is an excellent reminder of why everybody benefits when we support, develop and promote access to arts in our schools and communities. We are pleased to present the Mosaic Birthday Cake as part of Clackamas County's ongoing celebration of Oregon's 150th Birthday. |
