Tributary Wall Kevin Berry		Print This Page Email This Page

Description

A site specific design inspired by proximity to the Arizona Canal, the Tributary Wall acts as a noise abatement wall for surrounding communities and celebrates the presence of water in our desert environment through a combination of repetitive patterning, symbolism, and materials. A continuous stream of water spurred the idea for an undulating, wave-like wall that supports the visual reference to fluid movement.

Location

Located on the west side of Goldwater Boulevard between Indian School and Camelback

Project Narrative

The Tributary Wall began with area residents voicing their concerns about the development of Marshall Way, including the expansion of Scottsdale Fashion Square. They were concerned that with the expansion of the mall, their peaceful community would be congested with noise from mall traffic. Voicing their concerns to city hall, a noise abatement wall was planned to replace the existing 5-foot masonry barrier. Along with the artistic vision of Kevin Berry, residents of the surrounding community participated in the design reviews and created a project that gave their neighborhood a sense of identity.

Artist

Kevin Berry, Phoenix, Arizona

As a graduate of Arizona State University, Kevin Berry has had great success in the valley with numerous exhibitions, installations and public art projects. In addition to designing Tributary Wall, he has designed many other projects for Scottsdale Public Arts such as Hummingbird Sanctuary Park on Civic Center Boulevard. He has also created public art projects for Chandler, Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix.

Awards

This project received two awards in 1999:

• The Valley Forward Association Crescordia Award for Environmental Excellence
• The Orchid Award -Recognizing the best features of a city, including public art, and celbrating community involvement.

Q&A

What is the Tributary Wall?

The Tributary Wall pays tribute to one of the most important natural resources we have here in the desert. Without the water provided by the canal, we would not be able to survive in this arid environment. Originally created by Hohokam Indians, Berry pays "tribute" to the canal.

This wall also acts as a noise abatement wall for the surrounding community. Standing ten feet tall, the undulating, wave-like wall supports seven steel fish ranging from nine feet to eighteen feet long. The fish, with the exception of the largest, swim downstream, heading towards the canal. The largest swims upstream and challenges the group. A gabion structure (rock filled) at the base of the wall acts as a contrasting repetitive pattern representing the rippled floor of the riverbed. Light plays an important role in the aesthetic expression. Solid glass blocks are strategically placed behind each of the fish allowing natural sunlight to filter through. This gives the appearance of moving water behind the fish when viewed from the street. Crimson colored uplights shine from the rock floor and illuminate the underbelly of each fish after the sun disappears beyond the horizon.

Why does one fish swim upstream, while the rest swim downstream?

Going against the current is familiar to Arizonans, as living in the Sonoran desert is inherently contradictory to nature. According to Berry, this fish swimming upstream provides something unexpected and breaks up the repetitious pattern of the wall.

How did the artist decide what colors and materials to use?

Intentional use of materials present in the development north of Indian School Road unify the area, such as red and gray concrete block, glass block, and steel. The steel, concrete and glass blocks, and desert plantings were all acquired locally, insuring compatibility with our arid desert environment.

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