Photo courtesy GirlySteel.com
Just like everything else in the city, Downtown planters are getting spruced up for the Super Bowl. And, as with other organizers, the planning has been going on for months. Plants, after all, need to retain their beauty despite the weather and exuberant fans.
Junipers have been planted in 172 containers, said Carol Mullins, beautification manager for Indianapolis Downtown Inc. Floral twigs and evergreen boughs were added recently to fill in.
Photo courtesy GirlySteel.com
Twenty containers sprout original metal sculptures from Girly Steel, the artistic persona of Joanie Drizin of Noblesville, Ind. The stylized footballs were inspired by the Vince Lombardi Trophy, said Drizin who has been working on the sculptures since last June.
Photo courtesy GirlySteel.com
The 49-year-old Cincinnati native and former commercial artist formed the footballs out of recycled rebar and sheets of metal. Large, heavy brake rotors form the base of the sculptures, which are already rusty and meant to be left outdoors.
“I created 15 different designs, each with slight changes” to give each a unique look, she said.
Normally, nature inspires Drizin’s sculptures, which are found in many landscapes in the area, including Kevin Foy’s. He is regional manager for Brickman Group, a commercial landscape company hired to plant the containers. IDI wanted a vertical element for 20 special containers, he said.
“I have a piece of Girly Steel’s work and had long admired her work from seeing her annually at the Broad Ripple Art Fair,” he said.
Photo courtesy GirlySteel.com
“I like Joanie’s use of the material, and the way she lets each piece naturalize — rusted steel, rough rock, unpolished glass. The forms she can pull out of strips of steel and rebar are amazing! I think they are very distinctive. Equally important for this project, Joanie is an Indiana artist,” Foy said.
The sculptures were installed in the 20 containers around town this past week.
The goal, said IDI President Tamara Zahn, is to brighten the Indianapolis streetscape. “The added evergreens and steel sculptures provide a ‘fun’ factor and pleasant surprise for Downtown guests.”
Most of Girly Steel’s work is nature related. This was a special assignment/commission for the Super Bowl. Glad you enjoyed the piece.
I did like these. I believe she will be at Perennial Premiere in April. Good reporting Jo Ellen.
Hi Mark,
IDI has decided to keep these in storage for use again.
Glad you enjoyed them. Check with Joanie for additional sculpture information and keep your eyes open for the return of the footballs.