"Ghost Ballet''
-- Lyle Graves“Ghost Ballet’’
Installed in 2007 for $370,000
The 100-by-100-by-60-foot sculpture was Nashville’s first Percent for Public Art commission. The artwork references the site’s industrial past and visually echoes current surroundings, including nearby bridges and the NFL Titans stadium. Its form conveys a sense of the area’s evolution from an industrial working river to recreation and entertainment.
“Reflection’’
Installed in 2012 for $250,000
The piece is located in East Nashville’s Shelby Park. It explores the park’s past, present and future through playful metaphors of reflection. The mirrored quality of the mockingbird parallels its natural “mimicking” qualities, while reflecting a new vista within the park. The bird perched, which resembles a trophy, is positioned on a piece of carved granite, reflecting the negative of the opposing wall. The opposing wall is carved with a swirling motion that terminates into a hole suggesting curiosity and passage.
“Light Meander’’
"Light Meander''
-- Lyle GravesInstalled in 2014 for $350,000
Aileron
-- Lyle Graves“Light Meander,’’ located in Riverfront Park, is 45 feet tall, three-feet wide and 12-inches thick and made of stainless steel plate and tube, hardwood, color-changing LED strip lights and acrylic rod. The artists drew their inspiration from the Demonbreun Street terminus, a former tributary to the Cumberland River. A bold and experiential sculpture, the art forms a nexus between the river and downtown Nashville.
“Citizen’’
"Citizen''
-- Leigh SingletonInstalled in 2010 for $300,000
The piece is located on the front lawn of the Downtown Public Square and Courthouse. The two 30’ tall sculptures feature a crank device at their bases, allowing the audience to point each of the two figures’ outstretched arms towards various points of interest downtown.
“Magnolia Transit Shelters’’
Installed in 2012 for $250,000
“Magnolia Transit Shelters’’ are located at the intersection of 28th and Charlotte avenues. As part of the 28th Avenue Connector Bridge and Transit Shelter Project, this transit shelter design is intended to help strengthen the project’s overall theme of connectivity. The artwork was conceived in the spirit of uniting two unique and diverse communities through a design directly inspired by iconic elements found in both Centennial and Hadley Park.
“Aileron’’
Installed outside the McCabe Community Center in 2012 for $50,000
“Aileron,’’ is located west of the entrance at the intersection of 46th Avenue North and Murphy Road. Representing the biplane of the early 20th century, this 18-foot tall, 25-foot wide sculpture captures upward movement in the supporting structure as well as the actual movement of the wing in a 360-degree horizontal wind activated motion. It was fabricated using traditional blacksmith techniques and tools that were used in the manufacturing of railroad equipment, another historic reference to Sylvan Park.
“Circulate’’
Installed in 2014 for $250,000
“Circulate,’’ is located inside the Lentz Public Health Center at 2500 Charlotte Avenue. It is modeled on the concept of small-world networks and the body’s circulation system. The artwork incorporates LCD Smart glass “pixels,” parabolic mirrors, and custom software to dramatically animate the ideas of flow and connection. Utilizing motion-capturing technology, the work translates real-time images of the movement on the stairs into dynamic and ever-changing animations. Movement on the stairs activates the 124 LCD glass disks to fade between opaque and clear. Like the building itself, the public art at Lentz encourages health and fitness by rewarding those who take the stairs.
–Linda Bryant