6.5. EDSR 01-20-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Project Understanding In 1805, when Zebulon Pike named the river for the herds of roaming elk that eventually gave the city of Elk River its name, he set an important precedent for the future caretakers of the land: the town, in its enviable area of rushing rivers and strong trees, should never be separated from the nature from which it sprung. Throughout the years, the accomplishments of the people of Elk River have been a testament to the necessary and healthy connection between nature and progress. In the very beginning, nature powered Elk River and helped it grow. Taking advantage of the area's abundant natural resources, David Fairbault built his trading post, bringing commerce to the area. Others noticed Elk River's unmistakable advantages: Ard Godfrey, recognizing the potential of the river to provide power, built his sawmill. The population grew and agriculture flourished. The hydroelectric darn was built, literally and figuratively powering the early town. The march to modernity and prosperity moved on. As an artist and a scholar, I make work that is informed by the grit and creative energy of American history. Elk River, being the dynamic place that it is, offers an amazing opportunity for me to pay homage to the past while also inspiring the future. By creating a site - specific piece with historical elements and brand - appropriate shapes and colors, I believe I can do justice to the community's wish for a memorable, impactful, and unique addition to the city's public art collection. I want to express through my work the unbroken, almost symbiotic link between the town and its natural surroundings, since that to me is what "powered by nature" means. Unlike many other places, Elk River has not taken unsafe advantage of its natural assets. It has instead treasured them and worked with them, preserving their integrity throughout periods of great growth and advancement. My piece, with its kinetic potential, has the exciting result of being both an intriguing static piece and a dynamic moving statement of progress and motivation. The history and forward- thinking energy of Elk River have greatly inspired me in the planning of this piece. I appreciate the strong historical ties Elk River has to its past, and it is my hope that my piece will serve as a reminder to those who view it to always keep the connection between history, nature, and progress at the forefront of their minds. The saying "Elk River, powered by nature" is not simply an idle reflection on what makes Elk River special. It is a reminder of what has honestly made Elk River the dynamic, exciting community it is today. This is what I believe, and this is what I will convey in my public art piece.