Public Art Proposal - Cam, Caitlyn, Katie

Public Art Proposal

For our public art project, we propose an aesthetically pleasing and functional bridge over the canal behind Gallahue Hall. Such a bridge would attract people down to the canal, which is technically a part of Butler campus, though unfortunately a seldom used part.

The bridge would be a completely covered bridge, to provide shelter from inclement weather, heat, and cold. The structure would be made of steel or any other supportive material. The majority of the bridge would be plate glass, so as to allow pedestrians to see what is around them and down into the canal. The bridge would also be illuminated, and at night would provide a light show for visitors using color wheels in the lighting fixtures. There will be an observation area so as to allow pedestrians to stop and sightsee without blocking others trying to cross.

We proposed the idea to attract people to the canal more often. As it stands, the Canal is seldom used by anyone except student athletes running during practice or trying to access the Butler Athletic fields on the west side of the canal. We thought that a structure which allowed students to cross and also provided shelter would make a visit to the canal more pleasant. We chose the location behind Gallahue Hall because that particular area of the canal lacks this kind of bridge. There are 2 wooden bridges on or near Butler campus, neither of which provides shelter or serves any purpose other than as a crossing point on the canal. We thought that a “different” kind of bridge would be more pleasing to look at—it would attract people if for no other reason than to see it. The addition of the light show adds the element of “play” to the bridge. The bridge would be constructed so as to not invade the space of the wildlife in the canal.

We drew inspiration from Katie’s recent trip to Strasbourg, France. Europeans place a higher value on art, so most of their structures are functional as well as artistic. Also, the city of Strasbourg invested in providing light shows nightly at two different locations, projected against two already-standing structures, the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg as well as the side of a movie theater along the Rhine River. On its own, these two locations attract people maybe only once. But with the lightshow, they attracted both locals and tourists, and got them talking about the structures as well as the particular areas of the city, bringing more people out to explore and experience everything that Strasbourg has to offer. That is the goal behind the Bridge Project—to get people to come out to the canal, see the bridge and the light show, and explore, wondering “what else does Butler have to offer?”