West Dominick Arts District
“Hoodoos", the sculpture by Joan Benefiel, is named after, and is also an artistic interpretation of, the geological rock formations found in the southwest and High Plains of the United States and around the world. These formations are sculptural and often look like figures or animals. Inspired by them, Joan combines rocky abstract forms with figurative movement and gesture to convey power, beauty, and artistic movement. The resin, its color and translucence, is a reference to the waters that formed the hoodoo formations, and also is a celebration of human spirit, inner light, and life.
"Hoodoos" is located on West Dominick Street.
Project Goals
-
Create a high-quality public realm that seamlessly connects all aspects of downtown, promoting walkability and vibrancy.
-
Create an environment that attracts and fosters economic opportunity and celebrates diversity.
-
Celebrate and leverage the existing historic and cultural resources to establish downtown as an arts and cultural hub.
-
Leverage the 100k plus annual National Monument visitors
"When in Rome"
Project Background
West Dominick Street is a locally-designated Main Streets Area that is home to a number of small businesses, an historic theatre, cinema, and a vibrant art community within Downtown Rome. Due to the large presence of arts and cultural organizations, public art installations have been identified as recommended throughout the Erie Boulevard BOA along West Dominick Street as a way to promote the intersection of arts, culture, and history within the City.
Public Art is known to add cultural, aesthetic, and economic value to communities. It presents an opportunity to strengthen a community's identity, engage the passerby, and encourage interactive experiences.
Project Description
After successfully receiving funding from the New York State Department of State Brownfield Opportunity Area Program, the City of Rome will site additional art installations to enhance the Art Walk Corridor in the West Dominick Street Arts District. The project seeks to use strategic placemaking via art as a way to strengthen the downtown district, ultimately attracting more visitors and residents. The project will include a visioning exercise, community outreach, and architectural and engineering services.
Inspired by the determination and innovation of the people of Rome throughout the City’s history, artist Joan Benefiel created an arrangement of interactive dynamic glowing sculptures atop varying height steel columns on either side of W. Dominick at N. James Street entitled, “When in Rome”.
The installation reflects the theme of "Honoring the past, Envisioning the future" and serve as a welcoming place maker and cultural beacon for the Art Walk and Arts District.
The walking figures represent the energy and bustle of the downtown vibe while the watchful, working figures atop the tallest columns look both to the past and future while representing the ingenuity and productivity of the people of Rome through its history and today.
Additionally, their glow is a metaphor for the light that is inside us all and the bond that brings communities together.
The colors of these sculptures are inspired by Rome's connection to water (blues and greens) and its commitment to continuous building and rebuilding throughout its history (represented by referencing a day’s changing light from morning to night with bright yellow of daylight through the deepening purples of a sunset).
The rich coppery patina of the steel columns references Rome's reputation as the "Copper City”.
"When in Rome" is located at the corner of North James and West Dominick Streets.