Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Lighting Design/Product Company Meadart
Lead Designers Fred Mead
Other Designer's names Zach Smith Johnson
Client Blue Ridge Conservancy
Photo Credits Fred Mead
Other Credits James Geary
Completion Date 12/23
Project Location Hwy 321, Middle Fork Greenway, Between Boone and Blow Rock, NC
Entry DescriptionThe 26 ft. tall steel glass and led sculpture is solidly attached to a one-ton submerged cast concrete foundation. It has withstood the high winds and rain of the Helene storm unscathed. A two and a half year project that was built during the difficult times of covid. The inspiration of the piece is for the viewer to reflect on the earth as our one and only home, beautiful and fragile as has been most often described by astronauts when viewed from space. This new way of looking at the world was best described in a book by author Frank White, who coined the term ''The Overview Effect''.
Sustainability ApproachThe sculpture can operate on its own solar power or direct plug in to the electricity source. The piece includes its own mini solar station. The sculpture is totally made of recycled materials excluding the lights. The glass is recycled glass from store windows cut, tumbled in rock tumblers and fused in kilns. The steel was acquired from cast off roof trusses and the earth was made from the ends of a steel propane gas cylinder.
