The High Point Spring Market from April 16 to 20 will feature three kinetic sculptures, as part of the High Point City Art Project.
The High Point Market Authority (HPMA) has once again partnered with the Southwest Renewal Foundation, the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Theatre Art Galleries (TAG), and the City of High Point to present Year Two of the High Point City Art Project. Year two will feature three kinetic sculptures by Carrboro, NC, artist Mike Roig and one piece from Atlanta artist Phil Proctor. Kinetic means that the sculptures move with the wind.
Proctor’s sculpture, “Comet”, stands 12 feet tall and weighs about 2,000 pounds. It was installed on March 29 on W. Commerce Street adjacent to the Natuzzi building. Roig’s pieces include “Chalice” and “Passionatus”, both of which weigh in at around 600 pounds and stand 10 feet tall, and “Beautiful Whirled”, which weighs 1,400 pounds and is 15 feet tall. Two of Roig’s pieces will be placed in the pocket park in front of the Steele Building at the intersection of Hamilton Ave, English Avenue, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, and the third piece will be placed across from the headquarters of Stanley Furniture at Hamilton Ave and English Ave.
Tim McKinney, Director of Facilities for the City of High Point, said, “Due to the size and movement of the sculptures, we had to design and construct reinforced concrete bases for support and to allow for the addition of an engineered anchoring system. This design allows the base to be used multiple times for displaying multiple pieces.” McKinney’s department began preparing the sites on March 21, allowing enough time for the platforms to cure before sculpture installation.
The sculptures will remain in place for 12 months, or until they sell, at which time both artists have agreed to bring in another piece as a replacement at no extra cost. The Southwest Renewal Foundation will receive a commission fee if any of the sculptures on display are sold, which will then be used to fund future public art exhibitions.
“This is a very exciting addition to the landscape of High Point. Our Market attendees will enjoy it immensely, and it goes a long way in promoting High Point as a city to them.” commented Tom Conley, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority.
