"Granite Rug"

Artist: BRIAN GOLDBLOOM

Dedicated: October 29, 2008
Budget:  $45,000
Location: Clackamas County Red Soils Central Plaza Walkway

Goal: The goal of this project was to commission an artist to incorporate artwork into the Plaza in accordance with the guidelines and priorities established in the Red Soils Master Plan – Public Art Element identified as:

 #2 Central plaza, walkway around plaza, water feature:

Embed Artist-designed images, stories, quotes in the walkway.  These should connect directly to the themes of “Red Soils” and “Service and Sustainability”

Process: Brian Goldbloom’s project was selected through a rigorous open call process led by the Clackamas County Arts Alliance and the Public Art Steering Committee.  In Spring 2008, the Clackamas County Arts Alliance opened a national call to artists. After reviewing all proposals, the Public Art Steering Committee unanimously selected the “Granite Rug” concept.  Goldbloom, Arts Alliance staff and Committee members worked closely with Hoffman Construction’s Project Manager and Mark Gonzales, Clackamas County Finance Director throughout the design and installation to ensure that the integrity of the artwork would be preserved while satisfying construction zone requirements. The result of this concerted effort is a beautiful, permanent piece, unique in it’s elegance and sustainability. It also speaks to the history of Red Soils by representing agriculture, energy and the history of the Red Soils site. Brian’s conceptual statement says:

At its most basic level, the proposed project is a “granite rug”.

It can also be thought of as a history carpet.  In the center of the rug, an opening suggests a fancful sort of archaelogical dig that drops down into the ground in layers.  Together, the rug’s field and layers form a window into the changing uses of the county’s land and water.
The gird on the rug’s main field is based on paterns seen in photvoltaic (PV) panels.  Down a step into the hole is reference to the OSU red soil research farm that formerly occupied the immediate campus site.  Down another step, is Willamette Falls as a historic generator of electricity.  Below that, a glimpse of a Native-American fishing platform.  Finally at the base, is the land itself – basalt, red soil & water.

On a separate conceptual level, the watercourse depicted in the paving treatment suggests the passage of water through the plaza’s drainage on its way to the bioswale area – even though it might not be evident from above the surface. 

Brian also offers that different views of the artwork will present a defferent experience:

Different viewing experience will be offered for pathway pedetrians than for observers from the upper stories of the adjacent buildings.  From the walkway, strollers will have views of the imagery.  From the upper stories, the design’s effect of a 3-dimensionaliety will be most evident.

Committee Oversight
Public Art Steering Committee

Committee Staff:
Cheryl Snow
Betsy Bostwick