7th Avenue Streetscape Panel
Kathryn's 7th Ave. Streetscape panel
My image, “Tending the Genetic Garden II,” was chosen to be part of this year’s Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission’s 7th Avenue Streetscape Temporary Public Art Project at 7th Avenue and Glen Rosa in Phoenix. The image shows two women trimming a plant with the DNA twisted strand in the center. The original screenprint represents humans tending or manipulating the world’s genetic heritage. It is a process that should be done with care to not destroy the “plant.” On the back side of the panel, is the poem “Tending Garden” by Sean Nevin.
The original print was enlarged from 15″ x 23″ to 60 1/4″ by 92″ by scanning for clarity and color accuracy at Cloudwatchers, a local digital company that specializes in working with digital imaging and printing for artists. Once the image was scanned, it was digitally printed with UV inks on a 71″ x 98 1/2″ opal Lexan panel. This type of Lexan is the same polycarbonate used on fighter jets so it should certainly withstand our monsoon winds.
The large panel was installed on the northeast corner of 7th Ave. and Glen Rosa in central Phoenix in April. The image is beautifully back lit for night time viewing as well as by natural light in the day. The panel will be in place for approximately one year so you have plenty of time to see this drive by gallery from the comfort of your air conditioned car!
