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Rendering of the finished
art installation
(Courtesy Kettler) |
Is this downtown Bethesda's next landmark? Developer Kettler promised it would be during the planning process. Now the components of this distinctive public art piece have arrived.
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The components of the
art piece have arrived
on-site |
The glowing leaf sculpture will be outside of Kettler's Element 28 luxury apartment tower, along Old Georgetown Road across from the Bethesda Metro station. An appropriate theme for an enlightened, environmentally-conscious town like Bethesda, it would seem.
101 apartments and 3500 SF of retail space round out the Element 28 project, with amenities like a green rooftop deck and a bike repair shop on-site.
Often these public art pieces are pretty useless as a contribution in exchange for density. This looks pretty nice in the renderings!
ReplyDeleteWould have made better sense to put an actual "Tree/s" there with garden accents. Funny how we continue to paint, draw, construct artificial renderings of natural elements. This is more of a testament to our continuing loss of green space in urban environments everywhere- "Just make it fake, they won't know the difference". Eventually, that will be true.
ReplyDeleteIt would be better as functional art, like sculptures kids can play on, and benches to sit on.
ReplyDeleteBoth 7:15 and 7:20 have really great points.
ReplyDeleteThey have ok points but what's wrong with art for art's sake? Bethesda is known for interesting public art pieces.
ReplyDeleteI love the rendering. Hope it looks that nice in reality.
7:45 AM Thanks for the rational reply. Most development is now required to add art in public places, along with the open green space. This is an excellent example of the required amenity.
ReplyDelete@7:45 Art for art's sake is great too, but that particular area doesn't have a lot of parks or sitting areas, so would be a great candidate for functional art.
ReplyDeleteYes, there's the park area above the parking garage (above Chipotle/&Pizza) but it's not as accessible by far.
Functional Art is always removed due to the threat of accidents and lawsuits. Street furniture is removed to the threat of homeless.
ReplyDelete