Project name: Minerva Sculpture and Memorial park at the University of Alabama
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Artist: Caleb O'Connor
Client: University of Alabama
Lighting Design: CD+M, Carrie Walker PM + lead design
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Artist: Caleb O'Connor
Client: University of Alabama
Lighting Design: CD+M, Carrie Walker PM + lead design
In honor of Tuscaloosa’s bicentennial, the University of Alabama commissioned two artists to help design features for a revised section of Manderson Landing Park. Caleb O’Connor sculpted Minerva, the Roman Goddess of wisdom, and Craig Wedderspoon designed the decorative metal sections of the path leading up to the sculpture. I worked with both the University and Caleb O’Connor to light the sculpture of Minerva holding her owl and the polished arc on which she stood.
After exploring several options, Caleb and I agreed to light the sculpture from above, as if a beam of moonlight focused itself on her directly. We completed a full scale mock-up on site, which required two lifts and a fiberglass replica of the 10’0” tall Goddess. The mock up confirmed what color temperatures worked best, which focal points were most important, the optimum brightness, beam angle, and mounting height.
After exploring several options, Caleb and I agreed to light the sculpture from above, as if a beam of moonlight focused itself on her directly. We completed a full scale mock-up on site, which required two lifts and a fiberglass replica of the 10’0” tall Goddess. The mock up confirmed what color temperatures worked best, which focal points were most important, the optimum brightness, beam angle, and mounting height.