THRESHOLD

The fruit of a friendship.

I received an email from Des Moines, Iowa asking me for a public art project for the Botanical Garden. My joy was enormous, but when I found out about the context of this commission I couldn’t be happier and more committed to its development.

Fred Weitz, a prominent and historic member of the Des Moines community, was the donor.

He told me about the friendship of a group of young people including him and Tom Urban, who would later become the city’s youngest mayor. Together they dreamed of endowing the city with elements of far-reaching significance for the future of Iowa’s premier city and community.

Among these projects was the creation of a large botanical garden, and the main engine was the young Tom Urban, as Fred told me.

When I met Fred Weitz, an old man, I was immediately aware of his high human level, of his greatness and generosity.

He wanted to pay his particular tribute by donating a sculpture to the Center that would support and maintain the memory of his friend.

I carried out the entire work process moved by his example.

Sharing time with Fred was such an enriching experience that it will always travel with me.

Now when I think of Fred, I am touched, a smile breaks out in me inspired by his goodness.

The Threshold sculpture is an arch, a door, a threshold.

Establishes a landscape mark in the expansion of the Botanical Garden. Emmanuel Didier, Denber-based landscape architect  had something to say here, which made it much easier for me to locate and his garden layout plays together with mi piece.

Despite being in the Botanical Garden facilities, THRESHOLD is open to the city, its relationship with the river and the promenade next to it is immediate and clear, powerfull.

There is something barely perceptible but magical in the fact of crossing a door, of passing a threshold. This was the sense that was pursued in this project, as well as for it to be a coherent piece in future extensions of the park.

It is a simple piece but extremely difficult to make, balance, structural portability without a skeleton, capable of withstanding the ravages of nature, sometimes very violent in Iowa.

The feedbacks I’m having due to this piece can´t be better. I’m truly grateful.

There you go, the result is a piece that makes me feel good.

The tribute of a friend to another who wants to keep the memory of him, although perhaps the city of the future will forget it.