Sculpture recommended for south Carson roundabout

A proposed sculpture for the roundabout at South Carson and South Stewart streets would be 20 feet tall, 4,000 pounds, intricately designed but made of steel that could withstand the Nevada elements. Earlier this week, the proposal got glowing reviews from the Carson City Cultural Commission.

“The shift between the history of Carson City to its present state is a story filled with intersections between government, nature and arts and culture — to mark the location of this unique history is to celebrate this enchanting community and its people only further,” artist Karen Yank wrote in her project proposal for “Sense of Place.”

Monday, the Cultural Commission voted 5-1, with Commissioner Samuel Flakus absent, to recommend Yank’s sculpture to the city manager’s office for review. The sculpture will go to the Board of Supervisors for final approval at the board’s Dec. 21 meeting, according to the city manager’s office.

“I think clearly, all these artists are talented without a doubt,” said Supervisor Curtis Horton, who sits on the Cultural Commission. “For me, it’s very clear that Karen Yank went out and did her homework and read the requirements and what we were trying to achieve, and I think she captured the nature of Eagle Valley/Carson City, our history and our culture, very clearly.”

Cultural Commissioner Michael Smith voted against the recommendation. He was in favor of another sculpture called “Willows” designed by artist Michael Szabo. Smith described that proposal as “a beacon of hope.”

“The ‘Willows’ really resonates to me more than anything I’ve looked at,” he said. “Of course, I’m not taking away from the others. They look great.”

“It’s so interesting because art is so subjective,” added Cultural Commission Vice Chair Susan Mowers. “I’m thinking of it a little bit from the residents and the perspective of the public here in the city, and I’m trying to channel them a little bit.

“I love the artistic, modern, simple nature of the “Willows,’ but I would have to put my vote in to Ms. Yank because I feel like that does represent the city, and I feel like the majority of the citizens would be very proud to have that. I feel like it’s intriguing; it’s interesting; it has a lot of really great motifs that kind of represent us as a city and as a state capital.”

The recommended project is the result of a months-long application process involving 153 submissions; a vetting panel made up of local artists, an engineer and two Cultural Commission members; and a total project budget of $200,000, according to a staff report.

Certain goals were communicated to artists. Proposals had to be site-specific, “unique and inviting.” They needed to incorporate Carson City symbols, culture and history with “clean, simple lines” and create a “gateway” piece aesthetically pleasing from all directions, according to the report.

“For the motorists who frequent this intersection, it reveals a multitude of exciting angles to view when driving in the (roundabout),” Yank wrote of “Sense of Place.”

The sculpture would be made of stainless steel and Corten steel “designed to withstand extreme weather conditions,” Yank said. The latter steel type is rust-colored and would contrast with the silver look of the stainless. Looking at designs of the sculpture, a large stainless-steel circle protrudes from a base of Corten-steel mountains, encompassing several symbols.

“‘Sense of Place’ utilizes my signature symbol, the ‘circle,’” Yank wrote. “Here, the circle reflects the horizon where the earth meets the sky, the big domed sky found over Carson City, the cycles of life and of the seasons, as well as the Carson City Silver Dollar reflected by the scalloped edges emerging at the higher points of the circle seen in my design.”

On the outside of the circle, on one side, would be a pattern significant to the Washoe people, city staff and commissioners pointed out Monday.

“It’s worth noting this native pattern is drawn directly from the Washoe Tribal seal,” said Carson City Arts and Culture Supervisor Anna Freeman, “and the artist said that she is happy to work with tribal leaders to ensure that that is a sign of respect and not any sort of appropriation.”

“I, for one, like the Native American scrolling because I think it’s time for us to honor them,” Cultural Commission Chair Barbara D’Anneo added.

Inside the circle would be the dome of the Capitol, a golden eagle near the top, and, at the very center, a Bristlecone Pine.

“The focal and center piece of ‘Sense of Place’ holds the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine which is the oldest known living tree in history,” Yank wrote. “I am using the Bristlecone Pine not only to represent Carson City’s long history, but also as a symbol of its bright future.”

If approved by supervisors in December, the sculpture could be installed by June, according to a project timeline.

Yank hails from New Mexico. More information can be found at https://karenyank.com.