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Description:
The city of Tempe is named after the valley (or vale) of Tempe in
Greek mythology, an idyllic place where the gods went for rest and
relaxation. This significance, as well as the Arizona Department of
Transportation’s Greek labyrinth patterning along the walls of the
U.S. 60, inspired the artist’s design. The Sirens of the
Superstition project consists of a flock of birds (or Greek
sirens, referencing The Odyssey, by Homer) which appear to
descend the ramps on both sides of the bridge and fly across the
patterned walls. Approximately 180 birds, the size of pigeons, are
attached to the walls.
Funding:
The project was funded through city of Tempe Capital Improvement
Project Percent for Art funds made available through the Tempe
Transit tax.
Artist biography:
Michael Maglich was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and moved to Arizona
1946. In 1964 he moved to Los Angeles and attended Chouinard Art
Institute where he studied with Emerson Woelffer, Mike Kanemitsu,
Frederick Hammersley and Stephan Von Huene. He has also studied
independently in France, India, Hungary, Czech Republic, Tahiti and
the Yucatan, and in North, East, South and West Mexico.
Maglich has experience as a studio and public artist. His
collections and commissions include Bank of America, Bank One, Del
Webb Corporation, Streich Lang, Morrison Forester, Los Angeles Gas
Company, Salt River Project, Tucson Museum of Art, Scottsdale Museum
of Contemporary Art, city of Phoenix, city of Tempe, Armstrong-Prior
and city of Glendale.
Artist statement:
The sirens, from Greek mythology, were half-woman, half-bird
creatures that lured unsuspecting sailors to their shores by singing
to them. The 180 Sirens of Highway 60 are modeled after Tempe
residents that were involved in some way with the project. If one
listens close enough, the song of the sirens can actually be heard,
even though some think this is only the sound of the traffic along
Highway 60. |
