PROJECT: Fishtales
Unveiled: Friday, October 7, 2016
How it all began For over half a decade I have had my eye on the Staples exterior wall directly above the Naugatuck River. A trip to TJ Maxx or Staples always lifted my spirits in anticipation of catching a glimpse of this peeling paint expanse. For some, this vast grey structure might well be overlooked, but to me, the rectangular facade lazily stretching the length of nearly a city block, is nothing short of spectacular. After all, a building of this size and proportion, centrally located and directly above the river, is truly a muralist’s dream come true. And so with an extra dose of optimism, and a foot-hold in the town, exactly two hot summers ago, my journey in creating Project:FishTales began. Mural Plan I chose the trout as a subject because it is a perfect symbol for the health and well-being of the Naugatuck River, an ecosystem where these fish now thrive. I Combined my love for pattern and vibrant color with my cutout method I have employed for the past several years in my public artworks. I decided to create the mural at an off-site location. This allows individuals in the community to be part of the painting process free from the danger of scaffolding and the unpredictability of the weather. Giordano Signs fabricated all the components of the mural, using a material called Diebond, which is a durable plastic coated aluminum. They cut each silhouette into 4x8 sheets and then delivering the sheets to a 150ft studio in downtown Torrington (generously donated by the Children's museum), where my painters and I will complete the mural. Each section is auto-body clear-coated for protection, mounted on a pre-painted solid blue wall with all parts attached puzzle-style to read as a whole. |
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