Ed Carpenter, Ascendus, 2012. Galvanized mild steel, stainless steel, laminated glass. courtesy: ed carpenter studio
The theme of aviation and its optimistic sense of infinite-ness has played a substantial role in the recent openings of two public art pieces. The first, standing at a striking 60 feet at the entrance of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, serves as a dedication to former Charlotte Mayor and public service worker, Susan Burgess. The gesture was a collaborative effort of the Charlotte City Council, the Arts and Science Council, and Charlotte 2012 Host Committee to honor Burgess’s legacy.
The brainchild and craftsmanship of artist Ed Carpenter, Ascendus reflects the artist’s hyperbolic style of architecture. According to Carpenter’s website, the sculpture intends to emphasize “the excitement of flight,” alluding to the idea of “wings, feathers, and especially ascent.” At night, 54 LED flood lights give the structure a breathtaking celestial glow.
Glassfire Studios, Reaching for New Horizons, 2012. Blown glass. courtesy: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
The second, situated on the Daytona campus of Embry-Riddle University, serves as physical proof of the sometimes overlooked artistic interests at a school known foremostly for its science dominated educational system. The sculpture, appropriately titled Reaching for New Horizons, sits comfortably in the recently opened Flight Operations building on the university’s campus. At 18 feet tall, the installation signifies an overlap of the art world and the aviation world with a flight-themed color composition: green and brown are used to indicate the earth, while blue and white represent the sky. Upon closer inspection, visitors will notice a pair of hands reaching upward towards the top of the installation and like Ascendus, it illuminates at night. New Horizons was created by Glassfire Studios in Salt Lake City and its introduction to the Embry-Riddle’s campus was enabled by the donation of Dr. Helen Wessel, whose long-time friendship with the university has led to the funding of many other art installations in the past.
—Madeleine Harrington