(PLEASANT HILL - September 15, 2015)
Riley Resource Group (RRG) is pleased to announce the opening of the temporary "Wading Bridge" by artist Mary Mattingly, located on the southeast corner of Copper Creek Lake Park in Pleasant Hill.
The installation allows "residents and visitors to explore their relationship with this important natural resource," said Jessica Rowe, director of the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation. The temporary interactive art installation allows visitors to walk over and through the water. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Previously installed in the Raccoon River in Water Works Park, the public art installation was moved in response to flood-stage water levels caused by significant rainfall in the Raccoon River watershed. "We jumped at the chance to bring public art to Copper Creek Lake Park and we hope this is the first of many," said Bob Riley, CEO of Riley Resource Group. "We were encouraged by Pleasant Hill's leadership on this and future projects."
Mary Mattingly is a New York-based artist, whose work has been exhibited all over the world. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the New Yorker. She recently launched a three-part project with an emphasis on water, ecosystems, and human interaction. Mattingly also founded the Waterpod Project, a barge-based public space containing an autonomous habitat. Working with multiple collaborators, from artists to businesses and city agencies, the Waterpod docked at piers in each of the five boroughs of Philadelphia. Over 200,000 people visited the Waterpod in 2009.
Michael LaValle, an instrumental partner in bringing the "Wading Bridge" to Central Iowa said, "We're going to have to be creative in how we deal with the quick rise and fall of local Iowa streams. This was illustrated by the bridge. We had to move it twice because of flood waters before it was officially installed." Mike has been working for decades on connecting people with Iowa rivers. Copper Creek Lake Park was decided on as the perfect spot due to its less variable water levels. "It's a nice first step in getting people to engage with the water and have some fun with it."
This exhibition is organized by Riley Resource Group and the City of Pleasant Hill. Residents and visitors can share their ideas about improving waterway's at watertrails.designmydsm.com.
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