Sculpture Mimicking Cumberland River Selected For Nashville’s New Riverfront Park

The pair of Seattle artists behind ‘The River’ also created the Emerald City entrance to the Seattle-Tacoma airport, a giant dog for Denver, and illuminated murals on San Fransisco’s Pier 92 silos. Rendering courtesy Metro Nashville Arts Commission

Metro Arts Commission has approved a ribbon of of highly polished steel as Nashville’s next public art project. One percent of every construction bond issued by the city is set aside to pay for art in public places.

Small pieces of metal shaped like guitar picks will add texture and sound. Rendering courtesy Metro Nashville Arts Commission

The 45-foot sculpture curves in a wiggly line that mimics the path of the Cumberland River. It will be erected in West Riverfront park, which is currently under construction. The design, by Seattle-based artists Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, calls for the top and bottom of the piece to include pieces that will shimmer and chime in the wind. At night, color-changing LED lights will illuminate the sculpture. The hardwood base will double as a bench.

Plans for the 11 acre park also include an amphitheater, a dog park, access to the pedestrian bridge, and connections to both the Rolling Mill Hill and MetroCenter levee greenways. The park–including the sculpture—is scheduled for completion sometime next summer.