6 Joe O’Connell and Blessing Hancock. Figuring things out as we go. “I was interested in the
responsive quality, how technology could be pulled in to be equal with form using it as a living medium where technology creates life.”
The pair, who began collaborating only four years ago, have already amassed a varied portfolio with projects ranging from chandeliers that transform a freeway underpass with projected images to a temporary installation featuring a solar-powered designing an illuminated transit stop the length of a city block.
However, both artists came to public art through circuitous paths. Joe is the consummate maker. with different projects in a household where he and his sister were encouraged to build their toys instead of buy them. After jumping between universities studying physics, philosophy, and the history of science, he found a way to combine his passions by designing and building exhibits for science museums. After a stint as an Inventor in was to fabricate interactive exhibits for museums around the world, but quickly expanded due to Joe’s various interests to include kinetic rolling ball sculptures and ultimately public art.
Blessing grew up in Seattle and Tucson. She began studying sculpture at the University of
Arizona, but transitioned to a career in landscape architecture following a passion for immersive experiences and a love of nature. “I wasn’t interested in the gallery scene, I wanted to create a new experience, art that surrounds you. I had an interest in nature and still feel like nature is the most amazing artist,” Blessing says. In 2008, she lost her job due to the economic downturn. However, the moment proved to be fortuitous. She had been growing frustrated with the lack of creativity in the design world and suddenly found herself free to pursue art again. “I have always I wanted to work in a medium that gave site more of a voice without being bound to being an amenity. In landscape architecture you couldn’t tell stories or give the site a voice,” she explains. Blessing started her own company, Skyrim Studio, to make monumental sculpture, but soon after began her partnership with Joe.
Joe had already completed public art projects throughout Tucson, including Toby, an origami- steel word wall for the Wheeler Taft Abbett Public a heat-formed acrylic torus with interactive lighting that caught Blessing’s attention. “I was interested
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34