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Description: The Shadow Graph bus shelter was
created to add a bit of fun to waiting for the bus. The shelter’s
purple, yellow, blue, orange and red colors remind mass transit
travelers of a child’s toy rather than a typical bus stop. The cut
out shapes near the top of the shelter project reverse shadows on
the wall behind it in the late afternoon and on the street in
morning. Many of these cut out symbols reflect the environment in
which the bus stop exists. For example, there is a spiral which
represents a monsoon and a ziggurat to represent the buildings in
the area. The seats are perforated, to allow air through. They are
also curved, which makes them comfortable.
Tempe’s goal with its Artist Designed Transit Shelters is to
encourage people to use the public transportation by making it
attractive, innovative and functional.
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:
Zischke is originally from Ann Arbor, Mich., and has lived in Tempe
since 1984. He has designed other public works around the valley,
including “Universal Solar Shadowgraph” formerly on display at the
Tempe Arts Center sculpture garden, as well as the chandeliers
inside Harkins Centerpoint Movie Theater and the decorations inside
Kiwanis Park wave pool. In addition to Zischke’s public projects, he
also owns and operates a furniture and interior design business.
Artist statement:
The Shadowgraph Transit Shelter is a painted steel structure that
incorporates symbols of movement in the desert, such as wind, water,
flower, fauna and people. The symbols, cut out of steel plate, cast
their shadows on the adjacent wall shifting in the afternoon sun.
The shelter incorporates the indigenous colors of the valley: ochre,
turquoise and orange iron oxide. |
