Randy Walker, 1875 iron bridge, acrylic fiber 115′ x 17 ‘x 15’

Randy Walker has turned the historic Shanaska Creek Bridge in Minnesota into an artwork, weaving strands of colored acrylic fiber from one to side of the structure to the other creating a large loom of sorts that will remain in place for 6 to 8 months.

Randy Walker, 1875 iron bridge, acrylic fiber 115′ x 17 ‘x 15’

At the end of that time, Walker will remove the fibers and they’ll be transformed into a textile work by the St. Peter Weavers in St. Peters, Minnesota. Walker’s Passage project asks viewers and participants to recall a forgotten past by transforming a decaying artifact into a vibrant artwork through the combined efforts of the artist and the community.

“I want people to celebrate the history of the bridge as they walk across.” Walker told the Le Center Leader. “I am very thankful for the opportunity provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Le Sueur County Commissioners to give this bridge another chapter in life.”  http://lecenter.comYou can also see Randy and his son discussing the bridge project in a video at:
http://www.keyc.tv/story/16012998/shanaska-creek-bridge-transformed-into-a-work-of-art

 

Randy Walker, 1875 iron bridge, acrylic fiber 115′ x 17 ‘x 15’