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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2018)
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon INSPIRATION: Artists had varied interpretations Continued from page 20 guided what was really right — how to capture the essence of this special space,” Fleming explained. Fleming grew up in the high desert of northern New Mexico and Arizona, so mak- ing something for Sisters is like coming home for him. “If our ‘Butte’ design is chosen, I would be overjoyed,” Fleming told The Nugget. Wester said that for 37 years he has watched the town of Sisters grow from a dying logging, farming, and ranch- ing town to the bustling des- tination town that it is today. “This growth has allowed me to create a business in metal- work that I never could have imagined back in the 1980s. I would be honored to be able to build this sculpture at the entrance to our great com- munity, and every time I drive around it I would be reminded to say thanks to the people of this town who have supported my business,” Wester said. “A Land of Contrasts,” cre- ated by Danae Bennett-Miller, depicts the difference between the forested mountains and the high desert. Her piece highlights the role of Sisters as the gateway between the ecosystems. The west side is repre- sented by a solitary elk stand- ing before a landscape where an opening between large rock outcroppings leads to the landscape of eastern Oregon, with three antelope running as if they passed through the PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS “Land of Contrasts” by Danae Bennett-Miller, basalt columns behind them. According to Bennett- Miller, “Contrasting rock and landscape backgrounds are important components to cre- ate a contrast of east and west.” The life-size animal sculp- tures are to be cast bronze. The total size of the sculpture, with landscaping and rocks, would sit inside the 50-foot radius and would be approxi- mately 14 feet tall. Installed on a raised grade, the overall installation would be taller than that. “I am so excited with the concept of contrasts and the idea of Sisters as a gateway… This land of contrasts serves to celebrate the diverse beauty of our state,” she said. “To be selected for this roundabout would be such an honor.” Roger Stoller explained that “Mountain Helix” is a progression of his on-going exploration of helical (spiral) forms. The placing of artwork into a traffic roundabout and the city’s proximity to the majestic mountains served as the starting point for his design. “My response to the round- about is the turn of the heli- cal shape, providing artwork that resonates with the flow of traffic around it. The artis- tic pattern, inspired by the beautiful Sisters (mountains) and the flora and fauna of Central Oregon, will be cut through the curved steel,” he described. PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS “Mountain Helix” by Roger White Stoller. His inspiration came from the spiral form. “The helical form from which ‘Mountain Helix’ takes shape, can be found through- out the universe, from the smallest strand of DNA, to unfurling plant life, to spiral galaxies in space. I am end- lessly fascinated with the expression of these principles in the world around me,” the artist remarked. The approximate dimen- sions of the project would be six feet nine inches across the top and 17-feet tall. Proposed material for the sculpture would be Corten A588, most commonly used for sculpture and architectural purposes because it has a rust patina but is resistant to rusting beyond the surface, remaining structural outdoors for years without a protective coating. Stoller is no stranger to Sisters. Over the past 25 years he has visited his brother Lawrence, also an artist, and his family here in Sisters, allowing him “to experience the wondrous beauty of the high desert and mountain ter- rain of Sisters.” Hiking and exploring with his brother has given Stoller the opportunity to see Sisters through the eyes of someone who knows it well. “It would be a tremendous honor to work with the City of Sisters to create a work that celebrates this natural setting,” Stoller concluded. The public has until February 16 to view the mod- els and leave their comments during regular City Hall busi- ness hours. Now you can help The Nugget continue its journalistic mission The Nugget Readers like you can join our loyal advertisers in bringing The Nugget to Sisters — for free — every week! Thank you for supporting us! Make a fi nancial contribution to keep professional community journalism thriving in Sisters... ܂ $50/year Supporting Subscription ܂ $100/year Sustaining Subscription ܂ $________ Other Contribution Three easy ways to support community journalism: • Complete the form below and mail today • Call 541-549-9941 and pay by credit card • Go to NuggetNews.com to contribute online Name __________________________________________________________________ Address _________________ City ______________ State ____ Zip _________ Visit NuggetNews.com, stop by the offi ce at 442 E. Main Ave. (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri), call us at 541-549-9941, or drop a check in the mail. Phone ______________ Email ___________________________________________ ܂ Check enclosed ܂ Please charge my credit card Visa/MasterCard __________________________ Exp. __ /__ Security Code ___ Mail to: The Nugget, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 PHOTO BY GARY MILLER 21
