Kolb Rd., Tucson, AZ.

Variable dimensions, 12’ 3 ⅝” apex

Weathering Steel

2017

This impressive multi-medium public art installation for the Sabino Canyon Road to Kolb Road Interchange project includes a variety of structures, materials, and effects. These include a weathering steel sculpture, a CMU-block sound barrier wall, and the Airmen Memorial Bridge—with its elegant parapet design and cast-concrete approach markers.

One highlight of the installation is the Walk-Thru, an interactive sculpture that serves as both a portal and a transition point from the asphalt pedestrian and bike trail to the concrete sidewalk leading to Morris K. Udall Regional Park. Each weathering steel band is cut with abstract designs inspired by indigenous American Indian pottery. The ribbons are installed in an abstract formation, creating a rhythmic composition that echoes the rise and fall of Tucson’s mountainous terrain. During the day, the Walk-Thru casts shifting patterns of shadow across the sidewalk that move with the sun. At night, programmable RGB LED lights project vivid color onto the sculpture, creating a dramatic and dynamic experience for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Photos courtesy of Leonardo Manzo.