ARTIST: Norie Sato, Jim Hirschfield & Sonya Ishii
DATE: 2010-2011
LOCATION: Cary Arts Center | 101 Dry Ave.
COMMISSIONED: Town of Cary
MATERIAL: Exterior Flytower artwork: “Harlequin Curtain”, Glass, steel
Interior Glass: “School Spirits”, glass, LED light, aluminum, stainless steel
Theater Curtain: “Harlequin Curtain”, printed velour
Plaza paving design and LED lights, brick and solar powered LED pavers
Art Benches: “Drawing Class”, stainless steel, ipe wood

Norie Sato

Artists Norie Sato, Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii, as members of the Design Team with architects Clearscapes, developed a series of integrated artworks for the renovation of an iconic old school building into Cary’s new Arts Center.  Its transformation from a historic school to a stunning new Arts Center has provided the Town of Cary with a hub of creative energy. The artist design team worked collaboratively alongside the architects and the Town of Cary staff to integrate artwork carefully and sensitively with élan and boldness. The integrated artworks recognize the history of the Old Elementary School and create a facility that is unique to Cary. These artworks enable a variety of interpretations and their layers of meaning should reveal themselves to the audiences over time.  The artists’ goal was to inspire creativity, create a sense of energy emanating from the Center and honor the landmark building’s history.  

The experience begins as one travels up Academy moves onto its grounds, passes through its front door, and continues down its corridors and into the classrooms and theater. The artwork focused on a variety of integrated experiences, rather than on simply decorative or applied artwork.  Focus areas include the entrance plaza, lobby, theater and Vomitorium, exterior flytower, and an outdoor classroom making the Arts Center a series of unfolding experiences.  A variety of materials were employed from glass, steel, visual projections, solar-powered light pavers, and a grand theater curtain.  The artists’ concepts included the use of a Harlequin’s pattern that celebrates the intersection of performing and visual arts, historic photos, art school and other school references, and a changing presence from day to night.