Join The Minneapolis City In Celebrating New Public Artworks At The Public Service Building

Press release from the City of Minneapolis:

December 6, 2021

The City of Minneapolis is hosting an event Friday, Dec. 10 to celebrate 17 new public artworks for the Public Service Building featuring the artists, self-guided tours, music and refreshments.

The unique public art collection includes a suspended lobby sculpture, murals, illuminated elevator lobby ceilings, artist-designed bird-safe glass and a restored 26-feet high stone carving of the Minneapolis City Seal. This collection features a diverse group of artists: Tristan Al-Haddad, Laurie Borggreve, James Brenner, Christopher Harrison, Iroha Ito, John Kim, Andrew Lucia, Adam Marcus, Aaron Marx, Marlena Myles, Molly Reichert, Connor Rice, Witt Siasoco, Angela Two Stars, Alexander Tylevich, Kao Lee Thao and Rory Wakemup.

Above the building’s grand staircase is “Current Conditions,” a suspended sculpture by Tristan Al-Haddad, which alters daily and over time in response to changes in the city’s weather conditions. Each night, the work’s lighting program responds to the transition of the sky from day to night.

Seven elevator lobby ceilings display programmed lighting designs in a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, bronze, steel, polymers, polycarbonate, acting as wayfinding throughout the building and providing tranquil environments for City employees and the public as they move through the building.

Seven murals on glass tell the many stories of the city’s cultural, artistic, environmental and social histories. Also included are two bird safe glass designs by Futures North installed in the skyway to the Hennepin County Government Center and along the 10th floor façade depicting patterns influenced by both bird and human migration.

In addition to these 17 new works, the building has a restored version of the Seal of the City of Minneapolis. Carved in Indiana Limestone, this work was originally installed five stories high on the Minneapolis Auditorium in 1968. It is 26 feet in diameter, weighs about 33,000 pounds and was stored for nearly 30 years before being reinstalled in the new Public Service Building.

The event will include performances by Manke Ndosi, Douglas Ewart and Tamiko French. The 10th floor of the building will also be open to the public for this event.

Celebrate new public artworks 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 (remarks will begin at 4:30 p.m.) Public Service Building conference center, 505 Fourth Ave. S. Masks are required at the event.

Celebrate new public artworks

Visit the public art pages on the City’s website for more information about the artwork and artists or view the artworks on a new interactive public art map.

This press release was produced by the City of Minneapolis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.