Trace Elements consists
of two large-scale, back-lighted glass murals integrated into the two
pedestrian bridges linking the Sky Train Station to Terminal Four. Inspired by
the intricate beauty of Arizona leaves, the mural walls comprise 28 individual
laminated glass panels. Mayer designed
the murals as a rhythmic book-page sequence. To create the design, he pressed
leaves into aluminum foil with an etching press. After inking the image to
highlight the embossed lines and details of the leaves, he used a digital
program to enlarge the “leaf prints” to the size needed for the murals. The digital images were screen-printed and
hand-painted on glass panels with permanent ceramic glazes, then kiln-fired.
Each mural measures 115’ by 9’.
Daniel
Mayer is a book and letterpress artist who works and teaches at Arizona State
University’s Herberger
Institute of Design and the Arts School of Art.
Mayer
worked closely with the PHX Sky Train design and construction team of
architects HOK, engineers Gannett Fleming, and the Hensel Phelps Construction
Company to integrate the design into the station. He collaborated with Franz
Mayer (no relation) of Munich to produce the murals. Walters and Wolf installed
the glass. Dinter
designed the lighting in collaboration with the artist.
This
project was commissioned by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Public Art
Program with Aviation percent for art funds.