City Unveils ‘Nature Takes Flight’ Sculpture
The City of Hamilton unveiled a new sculpture — Nature Takes Flight [The Visible Light Spectrum] — by Bermudian artist Michaela Antoinette at the King Street car park.
A spokesperson said, “The City of Hamilton is thrilled to today unveil a captivating new sculpture, Nature Takes Flight [The Visible Light Spectrum], at the King Street car park. Created by multidisciplinary mystic artist Bermudian Michaela Antoinette, the piece combines fine art and cutting-edge technology to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience for the community.
“The collaboration between Michaela and the City emerged from a Request for Proposal [RFP] aimed at enriching Hamilton’s urban landscape through art. Michaela’s vision for a sculpture enhanced with augmented reality technology was selected by the VIVID program. The City’s VIVID Public Art Initiative, which has introduced large-scale murals and other public art projects, aims to nurture Hamilton’s identity as a hub of civic pride and artistic expression.
“The sculpture embodies a striking geometric origami style, inspired by Bermuda’s avian wildlife and conservation ethos. “We often use the longtail and the cahow as national symbols,” the artist explained. “Bermuda is home to around 408 bird species, and I combined various aspects of these birds to create an abstract representation that folds into itself, evoking the form of a blooming flower.”
A spokesperson added, “Crafted from 3D-printed components cast in aluminum and finished with over 14 layers of hand-painted and sprayed acrylic pigments that shift between gold, rose gold and green depending on the angle and lighting conditions. The sculpture also features a vivid paint finish inside the wings, reflecting the visible light spectrum.
“The augmented reality [AR] component adds an immersive element, transforming the experience into something surreal and dreamlike. To access the AR, the public can download the Artivive App and view the sculpture through any smart device. The AR will enhance the sculpture with sound and movement bringing it to life via mixed-reality.
The City of Hamilton also expressed enthusiasm for the project: “We are pleased to partner with such an innovative artist as Michaela Antoinette,” said a City Spokesperson. “Her unique approach to art and technology aligns perfectly with our mission to further enhance artistic expression in Hamilton and create meaningful cultural experiences for the community.”
Discussing the meaning behind the piece, she said, “We leave the ‘nest’ to pursue our dreams and explore the world. Nature Takes Flight symbolizes taking that brave step into the unknown, discovering our way through life. The visible light spectrum celebrates the undeniable beauty of our natural surroundings.”
“Bermuda has a strong commitment to conservation, and our culture treasures the Island’s natural beauty. We even use the term ‘Bermudaful’ to describe our stunning environment. This piece aims to capture that pride and inspire viewers to be mindful of the world around them.”
A spokesperson added, “The public is encouraged to visit and experience Nature Takes Flight [The Visible Light Spectrum] in person to fully enjoy its sensory and augmented reality features. The sculpture will become part of the City Art Tour, which includes 21 other stunning art installations throughout Hamilton. The self-guided tour brochure is available online at www.cityofhamilton.bm, and free printed copies can be collected from the City Hall reception desk.
“All artwork commissioned by the City of Hamilton through the VIVID Public Art Initiative features a plaque located on or near the installation. Each plaque includes a QR code that can be scanned to learn more about the artist and the story behind their work. The City Art Tour offers a fantastic opportunity to explore and appreciate the artistic vibrancy of Hamilton.
“For more information about Michaela Antoinette’s work, visit www.michaelaantoinette.com.”
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