Plans for Downtown Boise’s Newest Public Art Installation Revealed
December 11, 2020From a 23-foot tree with swinging benches slated for downtown’s new urban park, to the creation of “Inspiration Alley”, downtown Boise’s public and private spaces continue to experience enhancement and economic vitality through public art. CCDC is proud to play a role in the transformation and beautification of the downtown community, and the Agency is excited to release the renderings for downtown’s newest proposed public art project, made possible through a partnership between Boise City Department of Arts & History (A&H), Front Street Investors, LLC, public input, and CCDC.
As part of the Home2Suites and 5th & Front Parking Garage, “Pale Blue Dot,” by Boise-based public art firm Studio Capacitor, will scale the north side of the 6-story structure on Front Street. Visible for both drivers and pedestrians, the concept was inspired by the metaphor of the watering hole, and its role as a central gathering point for life. The work further alludes to the natural hot springs of Idaho and of earth itself viewed from space. Studio Capacitor was one of five applicants to respond to a call-to-artists released in January 2020 by A&H, and was ultimately selected for the project by a community-based selection committee after being interviewed.
This project and the public private partnership between the developer, A&H, and CCDC is the first of its kind in Boise. The new model allows for publicly accessible artworks to be considered for participation funding as part of new private development through CCDC’s Participation Program. CCDC continues to challenge the status quo and hopes that future public art is more easily realized through this collaborative, streamlined model.
CCDC’s Board of Commissioners will review the proposed design and renderings during their December 14, 2020 meeting at 12 p.m. You can stream the meeting live by clicking HERE, and a recording of the meeting will be available on the Agency’s website. If approved, the design will then go before Boise City Mayor and Council for review at the soonest date available.
Learn more about the project HERE.