Nancy Davidson

Project Proposal: Skyhi

2005

Fountain Proposal, Kansas City

Fountains are objects of contemplation. My attraction to fountains is based on water movement and the way it refracts light. The tactile pleasure is equally alluring. Water's natural sound draws me closer and often brings back memories of other experiences.

I designed Skyhi using scale, water and lights to create a public fountain that invites contemplation. The fountain surface will be translucent blue fiberglass with a deeper blue where the sections meet. The water will fall from a traditional finial at the top of the sculpture. It will break over the sculpture curves before gathering at the pond base. I propose using lights on the inside of the fountain and the pond base. LED technology will allow the fountain color to subtly change from green toned blues to violet toned blues. The translucent blue fiberglass will affect the color. Subtle changes in the light will be noticeable over time. Skyhi will change with the seasons. As the weather warms up, the water will reflect and refract light while adding sound and motion. During winter, the fountain will be a glowing blue column, participating in the Kansas City tradition of lighting public structures in the evening.

Skyhi will be constructed in segments to be assembled on site. Fiberglass is the most suitable choice for durability and flexibility in terms of color, translucency and surface finishes. The design allows for a center core where the fountain and lights mechanicals can be installed and serviced.

Kemper Museum, Kansas City, invited me to propose an outdoor public sculpture for the city. I presented “Skyhi” a 28 ‘ high fiberglass tower evoking a column of extravagant, large-scale forms. The translucent blue surface diffuses daylight into a soft glow. At dusk embedded programmed LED lights convert Skyhi into a column of subtly changing color suggesting water moving over a fountain, anchored by a luminous blue base. The rhythmic light movements flow through the sculpture, underscoring the sense of motion. Skyhi’s visibility at night is designed to add to the city's resources.