1 - Phoenix Convention Center

Art and architecture
Phoenix ConvenTion Center
WEST BUILDING
NORTH BUILDING
Monroe Street
N
Monroe Street
Meeting Rooms
Meeting Rooms
4 | Southern Exposure
Jamex & Einar de la Torre
Meeting Rooms
2
5 | Halo
William Bennie & Kim Cridler
6
Fifth Street
1
C
Third Street
10
3 | Social Invertebrates
Tom Otterness
8
Third Street
Second Street
2
Atrium
2 | Night Blooming Garden
Beliz Brother
5
1 | Art Is A Guaranty
Of Sanity
Louise Bourgeois
N
Arcade
9
2
Meeting Rooms
10 | Arizona Bolas
Michael Maglich
A
4
7 | A Moment at the Narrows
Troy Moody
8 | Arizona Beach
Hirotsune Tashima
9 | The Earth Dreaming
Isiah Zagar
B
7
6 | Arizona Handshake
Steve Farley
10 | Arizona Bolas
Michael Maglich
7
A | Lighting Crystals
Washington Street
3
B | Water Harvesting Garden
C | Ceiling Kites
Since the very beginning, the Phoenix Convention Center has
made artwork and the inspiration of native environments a critical component of its
ongoing vision. You can experience it within the grandest displays, such as the slot
canyon design of the main entrance to the Atrium Lobby or the West Building and the
unique color palettes chosen to honor the natural Sonoran Desert. And you can find
it in the smallest of details—from the bold flora-inspired textures in the facility’s flooring
to the rich layering of the foyer walls outside of the ballrooms.
This approach has influenced every aspect of the structure’s design, including the
indigenous materials used in its formation and the emphasis on inviting in light from
the powerful Southwestern sun. In addition, it has fostered a dedication to energy
efficiency and stewardship of our natural resources, which allows us to properly honor
the many artistic influences we’ve found within the diverse world that the Phoenix
Convention Center calls home.
Three themes are ever present
in the architecture:
Memory
Memory of water that carves stone canyons. Memory of wind that shapes
ever‑changing sand dunes. Memory of civilization, both ancient native peoples
and the modern urban culture that surrounds us today.
CONTRAST
The patterns and textures draw directly from Arizona’s life and locales. The color
blends seamlessly with desert vistas. The form harkens to the sharp angles and
grand contours of the landscapes.
SHELTER
Interiors provide protection, enclosure and safety. Exteriors offer shelter and access
to the world beyond. And both come together in expansive pre-function areas.
These themes are also woven throughout the diverse tapestry of artwork
commissioned nationally and internationally for the Phoenix Convention Center
and publicly displayed here for your viewing pleasure. We welcome you to come
and see it all as a part of our walking art tour. Just turn the page and begin your
imaginative journey.
1 |
Art is a Guaranty of Sanity
Louise Bourgeois Atrium, West Building
At 90 feet in height and designed by one of the foremost contemporary sculptors, this
monumental piece stands impressively above everything else within the canyon-like shape
of the Atrium Lobby. The mirror face is highly polished steel cut into shapes reminiscent of
a spider web—a recurring theme in Ms. Bourgeois’ work. The back of the mirror is sculpted
into organic ridges of polished metal. The mirror, itself, reflects one of the artist’s hallmark
phrases, which also serves as the title of the piece: “Art is a Guaranty of Sanity.”
2|
night bLooming garden
Beliz Brother Outdoor Perimeter of North and West Buildings
Like the night-blooming cereus flower, this piece of artwork only appears after dark.
Set flush into the ground-level concrete sidewalks as well as on the building, a series
of 144 green and blue LED lights are arranged in arcs, giving the area a subtle, colorful
glow. In addition, these gently influence pedestrian movement and guide people into
the Phoenix Convention Center.
s
Tom Otterness Water Harvesting Garden, North Building
Created by a sculptor well known for his playfulness and culturally perceptive style,
this series of desert life sculptures is presented at an exaggerated, human-sized scale.
The whimsical artwork includes a millipede with a hat and shoes, a walking stick in high
heels, and a scorpion wrestling with tiny people over coins—all set within a gorgeous
water-harvesting garden environment that recycles water from the Phoenix Convention
Center’s air conditioning condensation.
4|
Southern expoSure
Jamex and Einar de la Torre Washington Street Entrance to North Building
Two large-scale, sentry-like sculptures stand approximately 15 feet tall and are set
upon stacked boxes fitted into welded forms created from metal, plate glass, blown
glass and resin. The transparent boxes themselves contain blown glass objects,
found objects and cultural artifacts that reflect contemporary Southwestern culture
and the history of Arizona. Southern Exposure is artfully based on the columnar
atlantes of the ancient civilization of Tula, Mexico.
5|
haLo
William Bennie and Kim Cridler Monroe Street Entrance to North Building
This multi-point lighting sculpture is an amazing 32 feet in diameter, hovering above
the North Ballroom entrance like a wreath halo. Forms of agave leaves in two
monochromatic shades of powder-coated paint give depth to its overlapping weave,
creating a conical ring. Altogether, its complex design references the wreath’s many
cultural meanings: a happy fate, transformation through regeneration (like the mythical
Phoenix), continuity, life and cyclical time.
6|
arizona handShake
Steve Farley North Entrance Wall to the North Building
Employing Tilography™, the mural style that has become the hallmark of Mr. Farley’s
work, this large-scale art is comprised of ceramic panels that are glazed with evocative
photography. In its entirety, the overall mural is pieced together with ten three-foot by
ten-foot panels. The images on the wall portray diverse individuals shaking hands in
welcoming gestures of congratulations, assistance, community and prosperity. Shown
right is a “handshake” between two of the first Phoenix Convention Center employees,
both now retired after 35 years of service.
A Moment at the Narrows
Troy Moody Two Floor Locations in North Building
As an expansive terrazzo flooring composition set within the corridor inside the
Washington Street side of the North Building, this artwork is drawn directly from the
topography of Arizona, the fragmented profiles of Oak Creek Canyon cliff faces,
and the changing contours from stone to sky. The design comes together to create
the image of majestic rock cliffs set against cloudless skies that take shape in round
water ripples.
8|
arizona beach
Hirotsune Tashima Third Street Entrance to North Building
Coming to life in stoneware ceramic through a unique slab-building method, these
sculptures are intended to inspire humor as they creatively point to the power of
growth and encourage people to live fully. Set within a central Food Court location,
this irreverent composition includes saguaro sculptures. Within its finer details, the
scene depicts a mix of desert flora, native fauna, contemporary dining, and life-sized
people enjoying some recreation within a desert “beach.” Each face is a self-portrait
of the artist.
9 | the earth dreaming
Isiah Zagar The Grotto, North Building
This creation offers three mosaic murals that are large in scale set within the north
and south walls of the pedestrian walkway known as the Grotto. Each one is unique
in how it presents Phoenix- and Arizona-specific imagery, using color and motion
lines to elicit the feeling of people rushing all around. Among the materials used to
form mural panels are handmade tiles, mirror tiles, found objects, tile words and
Mr. Zagar’s characteristic bright-colored grouts.
ARIZONA BOLAS
Michael Maglich West walk of South Building, Third Street and
Washington METRO light rail station
All 59 art pieces are located within the exterior wall along the west walk of the South
Building and the north wall of the Third and Washington light rail stop. Stretching along
these two prominent pedestrian walkways, this series of bronze sculptures celebrate
a regional icon: Arizona’s official state tie. Originally installed in 1995, the bolas use
mildly absurd elements to reference regional flora and fauna, local industry, sports,
entertainment and the arts.
A | Lighting Crystals
In front of North Building on Third Street
Within any great building design, one of the great challenges is figuring out how to
draw in natural light. In a sun-filled destination like Phoenix, this quality becomes even
more vital. Using the same concept employed by the Louvre in Paris, these crystals
were placed along one of the North Building entrances to draw in the Sonoran
Desert’s sunlight and reflect it to the pre-function areas of the below-ground exhibition
halls. After sundown, they illuminate the sidewalks and change color—from glowing
pinks to brilliant blues.
B | HABITAT - A WATER HARVESTING GARDEN
Ten Eyck & A Dye Design Landscape Architects N
ortheast Plaza - North Building,
Fifth & Washington Streets
In our quest to help our desert city become even more sustainable, the condensate
from the Convention Center’s air conditioning system is being used to help the
Sonoran Desert thrive. At certain times during the year, thousands of gallons of this
water flow into the Water Harvesting Garden to the benefit of its native flora. The
living wall and garden below the v-shaped trough are inspired by the sheltered canyon
habitats found in the desert and the settlement of Hohokam Indians that inhabited
this very site. The wall is made of steel mesh columns, lightweight soil, filter fabric and
native plant seeds and flats.
C | Ceiling Kites
Pre-function area outside the North Ballroom, North Building
The power and influence of the desert wind was a clear inspiration for the many
kite shapes flowing and rippling along the North Ballroom ceiling. The pre-function
foyer is in a naturally day-lit space, so the “day sky” light blue color is used above the
floating forms. Inside the Ballroom, the kites are set against a dark, inky-blue color
representing the night sky, and small, randomly placed lights in the Ballroom provide
the sensation of stars. Keen eyes will notice the long wall panels on the east and west
sides of the ballroom that signify sunrise and sunset.
Public Art is commissioned by the City of Phoenix through the Phoenix
Office of Arts and Culture’s public art program.
100 North Third Street | Phoenix, AZ 85004
602.262.6225 | TTY 602.495.5048
phoenixconventioncenter.com
Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED)
Printed on Recycled Paper
PCC-35-7/09