Project Goal

Rhapsody! is a large-scale public art commission consisting of a series of fourteen-foot stainless steel figures designed by artist Douglas Kornfeld for Heritage Landing in Memphis, Tennessee.

The sculptures were conceived as expressions of joy, ecstasy, triumph, enthusiasm, and collective identity. Together, the figures create a civic landmark intended to celebrate community while providing an accessible and recognizable public artwork for residents and visitors alike.

The project required transforming the artist's conceptual designs into a complete set of construction documents capable of supporting fabrication, engineering review, transportation, and installation.

Context

Douglas Kornfeld's public artwork explores cultural symbols and shared civic values through large-scale sculptural forms. For Heritage Landing, the artist developed a series of stainless steel figures intended to communicate universal human emotions without reference to race, religion, or politics.

While the conceptual vision was artist-driven, successful implementation required extensive technical development. The sculptures were fabricated from structural stainless steel members and designed to withstand long-term outdoor exposure while maintaining the visual lightness and expressive character central to the artwork.

The challenge was translating an artistic concept into precise technical information that could be understood and executed by fabricators and contractors without compromising the artist's vision.

Leadership and Project Management

I served as the primary technical liaison between the artist's conceptual design process and the fabrication team responsible for constructing the artwork.

Key responsibilities included:

• Interpreted conceptual artwork and design intent developed by the artist.

• Translated artistic concepts into detailed construction documentation.

• Developed technical drawings and fabrication packages for contractor use.

• Coordinated dimensional, material, and assembly requirements.

• Facilitated communication between artist, fabricators, and project stakeholders.

• Identified constructability challenges and developed technical solutions.

• Managed drawing revisions throughout design development.

• Maintained alignment between artistic intent and fabrication requirements.

• Supported project delivery through fabrication and implementation phases.

Project Delivery

Initiation

Reviewed artistic concepts, project goals, site requirements, and fabrication constraints.

Established documentation requirements necessary to translate conceptual artwork into a buildable project.

Planning

Developed a framework for technical documentation, fabrication coordination, and drawing production.

Organized design information and identified critical dimensions, material specifications, and assembly requirements.

Execution

Produced construction documents, technical drawings, and fabrication packages.

Coordinated design clarification and information exchange between artist and fabrication team.

Translated conceptual forms into buildable components while preserving the visual and experiential goals of the artwork.

Monitoring and Control

Reviewed design revisions and fabrication requirements throughout project development.

Verified consistency between artistic intent, technical documentation, and fabrication capabilities.

Resolved technical issues affecting constructability and project delivery.

Closeout

Delivered final construction documentation for fabrication and installation.

Supported successful transition from design development to fabrication and implementation.

Verified that technical documentation accurately communicated project requirements and artist intent.

Outcomes

Rhapsody! was successfully fabricated and installed as a permanent public artwork at Heritage Landing in Memphis.

The project transformed a conceptual artistic vision into a durable public sculpture capable of withstanding long-term environmental exposure while maintaining the expressive qualities central to the work.

The project demonstrates the critical role of technical documentation in public art delivery, where successful outcomes depend upon the ability to translate artistic ideas into coordinated construction information suitable for fabrication and installation.

Reflection

Rhapsody! exemplifies a recurring theme throughout my practice: serving as the bridge between creative vision and physical realization.

Whether working with artists, curators, fabricators, or contractors, successful projects require more than design expertise alone. They require the ability to interpret ideas, manage information, coordinate stakeholders, and develop clear technical documentation that allows complex concepts to be built.

This same approach continues to inform my work in exhibition production, public art, and capital projects, where the quality of execution depends on the successful translation of vision into reality.