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Public Art
DNA of Blue, begun 2006
DNA of Blue explores how each of us sees the color
blue. The 12 shapes are based on the curve of the
double helix that makes up DNA. Color is determined
somewhat by DNA, like the color of blue eyes or the
Blue Jay's feathers. But color is also caused by the
effect of light on materials and how our eyes see
them. This project maps the intense affect the color
blue has on people. The 12 shapes are painted in
different shades and hues of blue. I invite people to
arrange the blues on a neutral background any way
they like. A picture is taken of their arrangement and
that photograph becomes part of the collection of
photographs that is the DNA of Blue.
blue. The 12 shapes are based on the curve of the
double helix that makes up DNA. Color is determined
somewhat by DNA, like the color of blue eyes or the
Blue Jay's feathers. But color is also caused by the
effect of light on materials and how our eyes see
them. This project maps the intense affect the color
blue has on people. The 12 shapes are painted in
different shades and hues of blue. I invite people to
arrange the blues on a neutral background any way
they like. A picture is taken of their arrangement and
that photograph becomes part of the collection of
photographs that is the DNA of Blue.
This collection was made by Pool Miami artists and visitors, at Art Basel
Miami, 2006. The piece has been done in Lansing, Ann Arbor, Birmingham
and will be going to Europe this summer.
Miami, 2006. The piece has been done in Lansing, Ann Arbor, Birmingham
and will be going to Europe this summer.
Sun Dragon, 2003
Sun Dragon, Solar Energy Demonstration Project, Fuller Pool, Ann Arbor, MI 2003
Sun Dragon, A Partnership between Renewable Energy and
Public Art
The Energy Office of the City of Ann Arbor designed and built a demonstration project at Fuller
Pool in 2000, a solar heated shower that cycles pool water through solar collectors on the roof.
To highlight this innovative use of renewable energy in an imaginative way, public art was the
answer. David Konkle, then Municipal Energy Coordinator for the city, says, "We built the
shower and the kids and adults loved to play in it, but no one knew it had anything to do with
solar energy. It really needed something more to distinguish it from the rest of the pool facility.
We envisioned a public art element to bring the whole process to the public eye."
Artist Margaret Parker was commissioned to create a design. She selected transparent plexi
glas, light weight and permanent, that would reflect the sun in splashes of transparent color.
"Sun Dragon" is 60 foot long and extends from the shower-head up to the solar panels on the
roof. Heidi Bishop, then Director of Fuller Pool, was delighted with the Sun Dragon, a symbol of
the sun's energy put to good purpose that would be especially attractive to the thousands of
children that attend the pool every summer. The design was accepted by the Parks and
Recreation Department and the Energy Office t hen passed the Peer Review process set up
by the Ann Arbor Commission on Art in Public Places. Chair Bob Elton said, "The Sun Dragon
project is a great example of how City Departments can solve problems using public art."
The State Energy Office awarded the project a Renewable Energy Demonstration Grant in
2001, and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and a Michigan Council for Arts and
Cultural Affairs Minigrant helped complete the project in 2003. For more information contact
Ann Arbor Energy Office,City Hall, Ann Arbor, MI.
Public Art
The Energy Office of the City of Ann Arbor designed and built a demonstration project at Fuller
Pool in 2000, a solar heated shower that cycles pool water through solar collectors on the roof.
To highlight this innovative use of renewable energy in an imaginative way, public art was the
answer. David Konkle, then Municipal Energy Coordinator for the city, says, "We built the
shower and the kids and adults loved to play in it, but no one knew it had anything to do with
solar energy. It really needed something more to distinguish it from the rest of the pool facility.
We envisioned a public art element to bring the whole process to the public eye."
Artist Margaret Parker was commissioned to create a design. She selected transparent plexi
glas, light weight and permanent, that would reflect the sun in splashes of transparent color.
"Sun Dragon" is 60 foot long and extends from the shower-head up to the solar panels on the
roof. Heidi Bishop, then Director of Fuller Pool, was delighted with the Sun Dragon, a symbol of
the sun's energy put to good purpose that would be especially attractive to the thousands of
children that attend the pool every summer. The design was accepted by the Parks and
Recreation Department and the Energy Office t hen passed the Peer Review process set up
by the Ann Arbor Commission on Art in Public Places. Chair Bob Elton said, "The Sun Dragon
project is a great example of how City Departments can solve problems using public art."
The State Energy Office awarded the project a Renewable Energy Demonstration Grant in
2001, and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and a Michigan Council for Arts and
Cultural Affairs Minigrant helped complete the project in 2003. For more information contact
Ann Arbor Energy Office,City Hall, Ann Arbor, MI.
All images copyrighted by Margaret Parker © 2005-7. Do not use without artist's permission.
Urban Courtyard
1997-00
Designer, 5561 sq. ft.
Award winning urban sanctuary in the
center of downtown Ann Arbor. A
handmade iron fence with raised
hedge of 22 pleached Hornbeams
surrounds an outdoor retail space with
conservatory and six valuable parking
spaces. After hours, there’s room for
outdoor theatre, dance performances,
and parties.
David Michner of Matthaei Botanical
Garden helped with the pleaching
process, which creates an elevated
hedge. European Hornbeams were
found locally at Rudy Wortmann's
nursery. The trees were in training for
three years. They now produce a
dense shade in summer and a year
round habitat for birds and city
dwellers alike.
Designed for Downtown Home &
Garden, Ann Arbor, MI.
1997-00
Designer, 5561 sq. ft.
Award winning urban sanctuary in the
center of downtown Ann Arbor. A
handmade iron fence with raised
hedge of 22 pleached Hornbeams
surrounds an outdoor retail space with
conservatory and six valuable parking
spaces. After hours, there’s room for
outdoor theatre, dance performances,
and parties.
David Michner of Matthaei Botanical
Garden helped with the pleaching
process, which creates an elevated
hedge. European Hornbeams were
found locally at Rudy Wortmann's
nursery. The trees were in training for
three years. They now produce a
dense shade in summer and a year
round habitat for birds and city
dwellers alike.
Designed for Downtown Home &
Garden, Ann Arbor, MI.
It was a dilapidated parking lot.
David helps select trees in the
nursery.
nursery.
Trees in the first year of training.
Spring buds are promising.