ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Section B • Page 4 • tacomaweekly.com • Friday, November 16, 2012
New public art in the spotlight at STAR Center By Kate Burrows kburrows@tacomaweekly.com
When Lisa Kinoshita was commissioned to complete the city’s latest public art installation in South Tacoma’s STAR Center, she knew she had to create something that reflects the natural environment and history of the area. Her piece, titled “Sempervivum� – Latin for ever-living – certainly reflects the former wetlands that existed where the STAR Center currently stands. “I wanted to create an art piece that brought the fascinating natural history of South Tacoma to light, and I was excited that STAR’s wetlands-inspired landscaping – including reed-filled holding ponds
that attract ducks, frogs and other wildlife – provided the perfect setting,� Kinoshita said. The piece consists of three large steel sculptures, with two designed as ‘green canopies.’ These 6-foot areas are covered with greenroof materials and insulation, and covered with live sedum plants that will ultimately fill in completely over time. Two out of three of the sculptures are made of mild steel designed to rust, which will eventually integrate the art slowly into the natural landscape over time. Kinoshita, best known locally for her unique jewelry art, says the leap to public art was a fairly natural progression. “Much of my jewelry is architectural, like
small-scale sculpture,� she said. “In terms of the concept, it was a small step. But these sculptures are on a 7 to 8-foot scale, and I learned a great deal working with my fabricator, Quinn Honan, to create a trilogy that would work within the context of the marsh-like landscape Metro Parks has created.� Kinoshita received the art commission through the city’s PA:ID (Public Art: In Depth) program last year, and calls the process an important learning experience. “My project required flexibility in
terms of site selection and construction, and the project evolved throughout,� she said. “This intensive program developed by Amy McBride really opened up my horizons as an artist.� The process of creating public art meant working with a variety of entities, from Metro Parks and the city of Tacoma to the general public. “I met so many wonderful people on this project,� she said. “It is an honor to have created an art work for the STAR Center and the South Tacoma community.�
PHOTOS BY LISA KINOSHITA
SECOND NATURE. Sempervivum sculpture with a 6-foot flower bowl
planted with sedums including hen and chicks, chocolate ball and blue fescue grass.
Custom Hair for Custom People With 20 years of experience in the industry, your next salon experince at Hair Muse will be one set apart from the rest. Our focus at Hair Muse is LISTENING to YOUR wants and needs. Any stylist can give you what “looks best� for your features but if you can’t duplicate the look it is a failure. We take the time to teach you how to blow-dry and style your hair to achieve consistent results at home. Now that’s a Win Win!
FOREVER GREEN. Sempervivum sculpture with a 6-foot diameter green roof supports live succulents.
2#64+16 .+/175+0' 5'48+%'
Schedule your appointment today: 253.572.4885 Karen Zadov 253.640.5847
Trisha Dawkins 253.797.6497
Ashley McMahan 253.970.1972
19 Tacoma Ave N • Tacoma, WA 98403 We are looking for skilled positive stylists to join our team at Hair Muse. We currently have stations for lease and sell your own retail. Call 253.572.4885 for more information.
High Priced Internet
Gotcha Down? High Speed Internet Service Powered by Click! Network will Brighten your Day! s 5P TO -BPS K #ONNECTION s %MAIL !DDRESSES INCLUDES SPAM lLTERING WEBMAIL
s -" 0ERSONAL 7EB 3PACE s .EWSGROUP !CCESS As Low As $24.95 s !LWAYS #ONNECTED a Month s .O 0HONE ,INE 2EQUIRED
Rent Modem
Zyxel P-971M Cable Modem ONLY $6.00 a MONTH! s FREE $ATA *ACK )NSTALLATION s FREE .ET 6ENTURE /NSITE 3ETUP
3640 S. Cedar St., Ste. E, Tacoma New Customers only. Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at residential locations. Valid with Residential 1 plan only. Service requires approved cable modem. Regular price $32.95/mo. Call for complete details!
2 4 H o ur Se r v ic e 7EDDING s !NNIVERSARY s "IRTHDAY s 0ROMS s 'RADUATIONS &UNERALS s 2OUND 4RIP !IRPORT 3ERVICE s #ORPORATE
(OLIDAY 0ARTIES s !LL /THER 3PECIAL /CCASIONS
253-848-7378 www.patriotlimo.net