Press Release: Passage by Harries / Heder

Images L to R: Poetry Trellis, Acoustic Chairs










Passage

We are pleased to announce the opening of the public art installation Passage at the new South Mountain Community Library. Passage is a multi-faceted public artwork that focuses on poetry and the landscape of South Phoenix.

The Four Poetry Trellises span the path as it runs past the Library and towards the Western Canal. Letters welded to the canopy project shadow lines of poetry onto the path. The four couplets were written by noted local poet Alberto Ríos, meditating on the South Mountain landscape.

The three Acoustic Chairs are grouped by the Library entrance. Sitting in these Chairs,
people experience intimate readings of poetry. The collection of poems was curated by Ríos. The collection features 19 poets with writings about that draw on South Phoenix and the landscape of the area.

Jumbled steel letters embedded in the concrete sides of the Chairs and in the surrounding pavement encourage visitors to make their own words and poetry.

For more information please visit:
www.harriesheder.com.

South Mountain Community Library, 7050 South 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85042

From the HarriesHeder website:

"Over the past 8 years we have been involved with the rapidly changing environment of the South Mountain area of Phoenix. During that time this area of citrus orchards and flower farms became a built-up residential community. We have been able to contribute to the pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian connections, and to the public image of this community through a series of projects: Arbors & Ghost Trees for Baseline Road and The Zanjero’s Line for the Highline Canal Trail that have been completed and the soon to be built Western Canal Bridge. Passage creates another link in these trails, one that relates to the others and adds new artistic ideas particularly fitting for the new South Mountain Community Library.

Illustration showing location of Library, Western Canal, and art elements

Passage is a multi-faceted, collaborative public artwork. The South Mountain Community Library is operated jointly by the Phoenix Public Library and South Mountain Community College. Used by students and the community at large, the Library is a magnet for community identity and the spirit of learning. To reflect this energy, we wanted to integrate visual elements with words. With the help of noted local poet, Alberto Ríos, we focused with poetry onto the South Mountain landscape, the quality of words, and the contents of the Library. The project consists of four Poetry Trellises and three Acoustic Chairs.