MARC FORNES/THEVERYMANY has unveiled “Spineway”, a permanent public artwork commissioned by the City of San Antonio in Woodlawn Lake Park. Calling to mind the midcentury marvels of Alexander Calder or Mark di Suvero, Spineway has been digitally fabricated with custom computational protocols of structural form-finding and descriptive geometry. As with past projects by MARC FORNES/THEVERYMANY the studio posits, “Spineway is consistent with the studio's approach of exploring structural performance while catalyzing public places through dynamic and unique spatial experiences.”
Although mimicking the construction methods of segmental bridges in its use of prefabricated pieces, Spineway has been built on the scale of a neighborhood. According to the studio, “The interdependent structural network is comprised of interdependent catenary arches, in which the stresses and loads of each depend on one another as part of a complete system. It is made of 1,009 1⁄8” aluminum shingles, fastened together by 19,429 rivets.” The sculpture touches the ground on 12 precast concrete feet, on top of a weblike grid of concrete inlay.
Erected over the course of five days, the lightweight and long-lasting structure is painted 22 shades of blue and green. Marking the conclusion of Cincinnati Avenue Corridor and the beginning of the Park-University Corridor, the sculpture acts as a bridge to adjacent neighborhoods. It is also an iconic gateway to San Antonio’s Woodlawn Park, a destination that has been inviting city dwellers for over 100 years.
