Two New Artworks for North Natomas

North Natomas will soon be home to two major public artworks: “Meghalaya” by Brian Goggin at Fire Station 43 and an archway featuring dozens of painted bats by the artist team, Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector at North Natomas Ball Park.   Stay tuned for more information. 

“Meghalaya” by Brian Goggin

Traditionally, gates are featured in Zen gardens as symbolic passages designed to invite a transition from one state of consciousness to another. Meghalaya reflects the constant condition of readiness maintained by firefighters at Station 43 and their frequent transition to action. Inspired by root bridges found in the subtropical forests of India, Meghalaya’s fire hoses wrap and twist like roots around an invisible gate. The bronze nozzles arch upward evoking the flowering buds of a tree. At night, light emanates from the interior as a subtle beacon, much like firehouse lanterns from the past. The work is a hybrid of the natural and man-made, the rooted and the reaching.

 

"Pastime" by Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector

The form of an archway creates an area under which both teams pass, going both to and from the fields. One of the most important traditions of baseball occurs when teams come together to shake hands -- a visible sign of sportsmanship. The gateway format conveys a similar visual feeling -- setting the tone for good competitive fun and giving the community a place to connect.  By using aluminum baseball bats in a structured organic composition, an effect of “joyous randomness” occurs. The game of baseball is an organized game in which two teams engage -- a form of “structured chaos.” Every swing of the bat affects the game.... The sculpture represents the future of millions of innings -- millions of possible outcomes -- millions of possibilities.