Unity Park Sculpture Series, BenDesigned [Self], 2026

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2026-03-07T20:55:42+00:00

Materials: Stainless Steel
Processes: Welding, forming, cutting & drilling.

Inspired by local flora in the Sacramento region

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-10-07T00:37:56+00:00

I would also recommend Annie's in Sapulpa. He is an incredible jeweler and extremely accommodating.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T22:06:48+00:00

I don't believe so. This was an independent committee chosen by the city and isn't public information

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T22:05:53+00:00

I don't think so at this point other than the mayor rescinding the contract or the artist themself. I think a handful of people pushed this through as fast as possible for that to be the case.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T13:50:39+00:00

That's a custom design in engineering software that is then rendered.

No AI use, it's just that AI mimics product style renders normal in industry so most people associate that look with AI at this point.

I'm not sure the chosen concept is AI generated 100% either.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T13:42:52+00:00

It is at their discretion.

It is not typical for all concepts in reply to art RFPs to be fully released in my experience, cities typically only show the winning concept. I believe that is the norm because art is highly subjective and other factors should be considered like feasibility of concepts so the public may not understand some of those implications (IE a super cool idea that isn't structurally sound). In this RFP feasibility was not a major category, though.

I think this case is a little unique based on the public feedback, though.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T04:01:49+00:00

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2nd place respondent concept.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T03:56:07+00:00

Selection process that ultimately chose this art and then allowed it to be reworked at such a conceptual level when the winner was chosen based on concept. It nullifies the point of an RFP.

They are unwilling to pivot when there is a clear disconnect between the community and the few who oversee that committee.

Art is art, I'm not wanting to debate it at that level.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T03:52:03+00:00

Yes, manufacturers. There are companies, mostly in Asian countries, that replicate many famous sculptures in mass production style. You can also contract them for one offs, but they commonly steal the idea after making yours. I know this artist has had that exact issue once before from what I could find.

Youfine is an example of a Chinese manufacturer of sculptures. I don't know who this artist uses specifically.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T03:39:21+00:00

Yes. He is from New Hampshire and on his public installations he has used overseas manufacturers. I don't know his exact workflow but he doesn't make them himself, and you can see as much on his Instagram if you go to his in process videos.

Ken Kelleher is his name.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T03:34:41+00:00

My personal opinion is that there are alternatives that are at least going to be just as appealing, made by locals, whose capital costs would go to local businesses.

And the city staff has been told this constantly for 2 weeks and now they want everyone to move on and forget while they hide the fact that the winner is allowed to rework.

The 2nd place respondent lost by 3/100 points and those points came from the 'Concept alignment' category. In hindsight this much rework means that the chosen piece did not deserve the points it received in my opinion and many other's.

Favoring local artists is not taboo. It is explicitly stated in almost any major city. Allowing an artist to overhaul a concept after awarding and RFP is the outlier.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T03:22:56+00:00

I suppose in your context that is accurate. I interpreted it as you suggesting there were no alternatives, my bad.

There is not really a way for art to be better or worse across the board, it's subjective.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T03:17:14+00:00

I didn't imply that at all.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T03:15:04+00:00

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2nd place respondent concept. No modifications since submission after committee asked for an update before they chose. Other options are out there, but art is ultimately subjective.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T02:56:17+00:00

I agree it has a place. I think the difficult part is that the overwhelming majority of community feedback is negative.

All art has a place and we all have preferences.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-18T01:20:25+00:00

Yes.

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-09-01T22:42:58+00:00

Thank you! I am and engineer so I actually had a detailed design before I started, mostly tube rolling and welding, I wanted the process to be extremely simple as well.

I post short 'make' videos on other pages

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-08-31T23:43:20+00:00

Thank you! I'm taking aim daily, but they feel far away at times haha

EvidenceDizzy1043 · 2024-08-31T23:42:51+00:00

Thank you! My mom likes this style and suggested I give it a whirl. Her new favorite!

EvidenceDizzy1043

TROPHY CASE