COMMISSIONS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
The following list of projects demonstrates the range and variety of projects that we have successfully completed in the last several years.
THE ARK Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley, Ma. This remarkable project represents one of the most challenging and significant commissions to date. Working in close collaboration with the Temple architects, William Rawn Associates of Boston, the interior design team, Dietz & Associates of Boston, and the Temple Building Committee, and Art and Iconography committee, this commission required an extremely broad range of highly sensitive concerns, starting with the need to invent an original expression of both contemporary and ancient values, coupled with a comprehensive embrace of particular ceremonial dynamics, balanced with spatial and architectural concerns for scale, material, and functionality. Solving the very challenging philosophical needs, was followed by the equally challenging need to coordinate a highly complex fabrication and installation process. Materials include over 4000 pounds of bronze, a quarried slab of limestone imported from Israel, a custom carved and cast glass panel, a structural steel substructure, custom wood veneer panels, upholstery, all done within five months according to a strict date of completion. The result is a spiritually charged design intended to last for generations, and a project for which I feel a tremendous sense of honor and appreciation, to have been chosen to embrace.
YAHRZEIT MEMORIAL This commission was developed and completed in conjunction with the above described Ark commission, and completed on a parallel time line. The intention of this design, was to bring as much dignity and formal respect to the presentation of each named individual as was formally possible while creating an overall presentation that worked as a whole, integrating an ancient ritual of commemoration, within a very contemporary architectual setting. The design criteria included the need to maintain alphabetical order, while new names are added over time, without requiring any custom re-installation. Each bronze 'memorial' was cast using the lost wax method, with individually engraved bronze plates, applied to the acoustic veneer panels of the western wall of the sanctuary. The total memorial holds over 1500 names.
TORSION III The University Of Rhode Island / Lippitt Hall This commission was awarded through a national call for proposals facilitated by The Rhode Island State Council for The Arts. This proposal was selected from an initial response from 126 artists, and was completed in approximately 6 months. This sculpture represents the largest fabricated example of Diepenbrock's signature style of shingled metal. It measures 9'6" h x 14'6"w x 11'7"d, with an internal frame of stainless steel, and an external 'skin' of patinated silicon bronze, and is permanently installed in front of the Universities' Honors Department.
9/11 MEMORIAL Commissioned by Governor Lincoln Almond for the Rhode Island State House. The design was intended to be monolythic and contemporary, yet relate in it’s use of materials to those present in this historic structure: materials included black granite, oxidized bronze, 9 layers of glass with gold leaf, and internal halogen lighting. The planning and engineering took 2 months with actual fabrication confined to a 6 week period. Please see images in the portfolio section.
INFINITY III , The Town of East Greenwhich, RI An 8’ x 7’ x 3.5’ stainless steel sculpture for a street scape improvement project. The design was selected from a pool of 25 - 30 state wide proposals. Given the town's location near the Narragannsett Bay, a water related theme was requested. This form blends two water related references: a propeller form representing a man made object for the propulsion of marine craft, with a reference to the natural water cycle itself, of evaporation, condensation and collection. The sculpture is intended to link the town's center to it’s waterfront, and contribute to an overall street improvement campaign.
CORPORATE OFFICES / ART CONSULTATION, Hinkley, Allen, and Snyder, Providnece RI. What began with a studio visit by a local lawyer ended with a complete art coordination project that focused on the three floor corporate office renovation. We helped in the selection, placement and creation of original artwork for all seven boardrooms and reception area. The project included commissioned paintings, sculpture and wall pieces, with a large selection of existing paintings and works on paper placed throughout the offices.
ART CONSULTATION FOR THE IBIS CORPORATION This project was for an office that was intended as a 3 year, short term lease. The clients wanted to create an office identity with out spending a fortune on interior design and lighting, both of which would be left behind at the end of the lease period. The reult was to take the architects’ proposed lighting budget, and instead spend it on a coordinated series of commissioned and existing sculptures and wall pieces. The result was dramatic, with 9 ‘ sculptures placed among work stations, and a reception area wall piece which was designed to express in visual terms, what service the company provides. To conclude the project we gave a slide presentation to the employees to convey some of the thought that went into the creation of the artwork. The project was completed in ten weeks, including the fabrication of three original pieces.
RESIDENTIAL TOWER IN NEW YORK This project had two components, a four-panel glass and aluminum wallpiece for the lobby, and a custom framing system for each of the 21 floors, which had a stylistic relationship to the lobby wall piece. In this case I collaborated with the glass artist Duncan Laurie, whose acid-etched, and sand-blasted glass panels became the featured element. I focussed on the fabrication and installation of the aluminum structures which held the glass. The framing system was developed around the use of sandwiched layers of plexiglass, and a unique bracket that held the whole system together.
In addition to my ongoing sculptural exploration, I welcome commercial projects that require custom architectural treatments or objects, both of a functional or non-functional nature. Projects can range from entire office art consultation, ceiling and wall constructions for lobby interiors, sculptural seating solutions, custom yacht hardware, awards, and furnishings. We often work in conjunction with project architects who help isolate potential sites and define project parameters. Materials involved include metal, glass, stone, wood, plastics, and resin. We offer everything from concept development to installation.
These are just a few of the commercial projects completed in the last several years. In addition we have completed a long list of private commissions including free standing garden sculptures and interior wall pieces. Please contact our studio to discuss any project you may have in mind.