News
Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology Gets an Artful Touch: Local Artist Ed Carpenter Commissioned for Sculpture
Portland artist Ed Carpenter has been selected by Portland State University's College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Oregon Arts Commission (OAC) to commission a major work of public art for the University's Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology. The sculpture, and arching piece made of stainless steel and dichroic glass, will adorn the building's entry plaza.
The sculpture is named "Tecotosh" to represent the four basic principles of engineering - tension, compression, torsion and sheer. Made of stainless steel and dichroic glass, Tecotosh will cast varying color and pattern upon the entry plaza, with seasonal and daily fluctuations in light. The piece was conceived and developed by Carpenter in partnership with structural engineers Grant Davis and Bob Grummel.
"The interaction of structure and light represents the joining of the engineered world with the natural world; science with nature," said Carpenter. "We understand the behavior of materials, structures, and light - but when they are combined in this way there remains an overriding sense of mystery."
Carpenter, an internationally renowned artist, has created public works of art for organizations such as University of Wisconsin at Madison, Dallas Convention Center, Memphis Central Library and the Hokkaido Sports Center in Japan. Locally, his work can be seen at the Eugene Performing Arts Center, Willamette University, Portland International Airport and the Washington County Justice Complex.
"Ed's design for this site is nearly flawless in its understanding of the architecture and urban space, as well as in its integration and reflection of engineering principles. It will be a major contribution to the downtown core," said Meagan Atiyeh, OAC Visual Arts Coordinator.
The Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology will serve as the new home to PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science, furthering the college's longstanding commitment to make quality engineering education accessible throughout the community. In January, the University announced that Intel co-founder Dr. Gordon E. Moore, along with his wife Betty, had made a gift of $2.5 million to the center. Last week, Congress reached agreement on House Joint Resolution 2 (H.J. Res. 2), which includes an additional $2 million in funding for the building.
Plans for the new engineering facility include 130,000 square feet of laboratories, classrooms and faculty office space. Plans also include the creation of a regional center to house the growing number of collaborative programs involving PSU, Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions. The center will facilitate the learning and research for newly educated and experienced engineers to work side-by-side in lifelong learning activities; will support direct collaborations with industry; and will provide space for laboratories that meet industry specifications for research in emerging high technology and engineering areas.
The creation of Tecotosh will be made possible through Oregon's Percent for Art in Public Places program (ORS 276.073-090). The OAC provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities.
For a high-resolution electronic rendering of the center and sculpture, call 503-725-3711 or e-mail marketing@pdx.edu.
The sculpture is named "Tecotosh" to represent the four basic principles of engineering - tension, compression, torsion and sheer. Made of stainless steel and dichroic glass, Tecotosh will cast varying color and pattern upon the entry plaza, with seasonal and daily fluctuations in light. The piece was conceived and developed by Carpenter in partnership with structural engineers Grant Davis and Bob Grummel.
"The interaction of structure and light represents the joining of the engineered world with the natural world; science with nature," said Carpenter. "We understand the behavior of materials, structures, and light - but when they are combined in this way there remains an overriding sense of mystery."
Carpenter, an internationally renowned artist, has created public works of art for organizations such as University of Wisconsin at Madison, Dallas Convention Center, Memphis Central Library and the Hokkaido Sports Center in Japan. Locally, his work can be seen at the Eugene Performing Arts Center, Willamette University, Portland International Airport and the Washington County Justice Complex.
"Ed's design for this site is nearly flawless in its understanding of the architecture and urban space, as well as in its integration and reflection of engineering principles. It will be a major contribution to the downtown core," said Meagan Atiyeh, OAC Visual Arts Coordinator.
The Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology will serve as the new home to PSU's College of Engineering and Computer Science, furthering the college's longstanding commitment to make quality engineering education accessible throughout the community. In January, the University announced that Intel co-founder Dr. Gordon E. Moore, along with his wife Betty, had made a gift of $2.5 million to the center. Last week, Congress reached agreement on House Joint Resolution 2 (H.J. Res. 2), which includes an additional $2 million in funding for the building.
Plans for the new engineering facility include 130,000 square feet of laboratories, classrooms and faculty office space. Plans also include the creation of a regional center to house the growing number of collaborative programs involving PSU, Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions. The center will facilitate the learning and research for newly educated and experienced engineers to work side-by-side in lifelong learning activities; will support direct collaborations with industry; and will provide space for laboratories that meet industry specifications for research in emerging high technology and engineering areas.
The creation of Tecotosh will be made possible through Oregon's Percent for Art in Public Places program (ORS 276.073-090). The OAC provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities.
For a high-resolution electronic rendering of the center and sculpture, call 503-725-3711 or e-mail marketing@pdx.edu.
