"Energy Loop" (Asheville, NC) to be restored

[Harry McDaniel]

When “Energy Loop” by Dirck Cruser was installed in City-County Plaza in Asheville, NC in 1982, it was Asheville’s first contemporary public outdoor sculpture. It generated the usual controversy, but became part of the urban fabric. Now (January 2006), after 23 years or so of weathering, it has degraded to a point that the city considers it a safety hazard and has fenced it off. It was constructed of Cor-ten, and has rusted through in areas where condensation has repeatedly trickled down the inside. The city is currently seeking bids to move and repair it. (The sculptor died in 1996.) City-County Plaza is undergoing a major overhaul and, apparently, those in charge want the sculpture to be relocated after it is restored.

[JAZ]

Harry,
What do you know about the steel and the corrosion? How thick is the Cor-ten? Is the corrosion only where water sits and collects or where it meets the earth? the sculpture must extend below the surface and either is bolted to a concrete footing or is imbedded in it? It is strange that it has been declared dangerous, unless it is splitting near ground level. I would have thought that Cor-ten would have lasted longer, unless it is very thin. The shape of the sculpture is dynamic and the free form quality fits the feel of Asheville, so it's surprising that they want it sited elsewhere unless they have something new they want installed at this location.
What are your thoughts on this situation? It certainly speaks volumes to people here who are working in Cor-ten.
JAZ

[Harry McDaniel]

Judging by the holes that I was able to peek through, I would guess that the steel is 14 gauge, if not, it is probably close to that. I have not looked extensively to see all of the corroded areas. Some are obvious at eye level (you can see a detail picture and an additional view in the "public art" section of the Photo Gallery--be sure to click on the detail picture to enlarge it or you won't be able to see the rusted-through parts). I have been told that the sculpture was set directly into a very large (40,000#) concrete slab and it is now rusting-out at the point where the it meets the slab.

As far as the siting goes, I think a lot of people either simply dislike it, or feel that it doesn't fit with the historic character (i.e.: tourist appeal) of Asheville and they are eager for any excuse to move it to a less public or less central location. Personally, I like it a lot. Its presence influenced my decision to move to Asheville. The park that it sits in is undergoing a huge, high-budget renovation and I think those in charge wanted to start with a clean slate rather than including this scupture in their design. Several artists are involved in the renovation--creating works that will integrate into the overall park design.

[kathleenfen]

I like the flow and feeling of this piece. Seeing as it's being moved, that brings a question to my mind as to the 'permanent' nature of art installed in public places. Where I live, I've noticed a consistent theme of "out with the old and in with the new" with little concern for preservation or incorporation of existing art and/or architecture. I wonder what public institutions/areas, corporations, businesses and the like have in mind with regard to a 'permanent' installation when they commission a work...are they thinking 30 or 40 years, or even worse, less? I think I'm off on a rant here....at any rate, I think it's disgusting to move this piece..it's beautiful.

Kathleen

[JAZ]

Someone must have originally liked the piece well enough to fund its purchase, so the current thought to move it could also mean simply that they have purchased something even better (overly optimistic thought?) and realize that by relocating this one to another area the sculpture can do for that space what it has done for its current space? I guess time will tell what the new art will be.
I like the piece too.
The surprising part is that it is in such bad shape. Do you think that is the result of how it was installed - the steel being underground in contact with the concrete? What other method of anchoring might have saved it from this fate, I wonder. Though the rust-through is also above ground. Hmm. 14 gauge is thin, but I would have thought that Cor-ten would be more enduring.
JAZ

[arcdawg]

I would say that the culprate would be pin holes in the weld joint......I hope that it gets fixed and fixed the right way. On the other hand it could be from the moisture from the way its been installed....but I would be skeptical of that......Im really thinking that its from the outside....but I would need a better picture-

btw its a GREAT PIECE

dawg

[Harry McDaniel]

As far as the re-siting goes, the Pack Square Conservancy, who is in charge of redesigning the park, says that they don't want the sculpture back in the park for liability reasons. I assume that this refers to people climbing on the sculpture. It is a piece that invites climbing, sitting, etc. They have allocated $25,000 to move it (remember there is a 40,000# concrete slab to be removed.) The city is looking into restoration options. Hopefully it won't be an "out of site, out of mind" situation. If all goes well, perhaps it will end up in a better site.

In response to questions about the corrosion process, my understanding is that Cor-ten generally doesn't do so well if it remains moist on a long-term basis. Since this form is enclosed, there is no air circulation to the inside. Once a few holes delveloped, rain water could enter and stay there for a long time, speeding up the rust, creating new holes, allowing more water to enter, etc.

Here is a link to a recent article in the Asheville Citizen-Times:
<http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060103/NEWS01/60102005/1001/archives> (http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060103/NEWS01/60102005/1001/archives)

[oddist]

Check out Corten weldability on page 4 here (http://www.steelmart.co.za/pdf/uncoated/Web_datasheet_a3.6.pdf) .

Mentions what to do about corrosion by "capping".

Live and learn!

[JAZ]

I hope Sam is reading your link, Oddist. It's a good tip.
JAZ

[Harry McDaniel]

Robert Gursky, a local metal worker and sculptor, has been hired by the city to restore "Energy Loop". He is optimistic about the restoration process. You can read more in a 2/6/06 article from the Asheville Citizen Times:
<http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200660205016>

[JAZ]

Thanks for the update. It's an intriguing story. Good that they are getting the right guy to restore it and investing in that. You would think that investment would only pay off if they also sited the sculpture appropriately once it's up to par. Although I've been to Asheville once, I somehow missed seeing that sculpture. (Did see the Paley,though). Could you comment on whether it would in fact (in your opinion) be best sited in the new park? Or is there some other high visibility spot that would be better?
JAZ

[Harry McDaniel]

“Energy Loop” is located about five blocks (depending how you count) from Paley’s sculpture. I don’t think I would call its current site ideal—it is a wide-open area, so the sculpture just barely matches the scale of the site, but it works. It is a very high visibility (and accessibility) site. There are numerous events throughout the year that fill the park with people. With some landscaping design, it could be an ideal site. The whole park is currently being redesigned, so now would be the time, but the Pack Square Conservancy says the sculpture is hazardous (presumably they are concerned about climbing accidents). That is a tricky issue; if a sculpture is made to be walked through, touched, and climbed on, then it offers a range of experience that can be appreciated by many people, including children, but, of course, inviting people to interact with a truly dangerous sculpture is irresponsible. In this case, I don’t see very much danger (once it is repaired). The dangers it presents are obvious—climb too high and you may fall. Public spaces are filled with things from which you can fall if you make poor choices.

Many people here (at least among the artist crowd) have an attachment to the sculpture and feel uneasy about the motivations for excluding it from the redesigned park. There is a movement afoot to keep it in the park, but it may be difficult to make that happen at this stage of the redesign.

The sculpture could certainly work in another location; I just hope that it does not get shuffled away to a “lesser” location.

[sculptorsam]

I did see this and find it educational. On my sculpture tour I saw a Meadmore sculpture with similar issues, though the sculpture was probably a few years older. Others have already touched on the important points. Moisture found a way in and without any drain holes, it undoubtably pooled in the low points of the curves. Over time, it ate all the way through. The steel in direct contact with the concrete is another issue. Concrete absorbs moisture and will form a "micro-climate" near the surface of the steel, as well as being a flat surface more likely to pool water in the cracks. As Oddist's link points out, to properly weather, Cor-ten requires a wet/dry cycling. If it remains in constant contact with moisture at any point, it will continue to degrade. With a sculpture like this, requiring a clean, flowing line, Cor-ten is a tough call. Either mar the surface with proper drain holes or attempt to seal it completely, which is very difficult to do. In that case, it at least looks good for a quarter century until you have to pay the piper. It's very possible Cor-ten is not the ideal material for this design. I understand the economic reasons for choosing it though. And it is a beautiful material.

BTW, good to see you over here Harry. I'm headed back through your neck of the woods early May. Maybe I'll see you over there.

[Gene]

Drove thru Asheville last week (Apr 2) and saw the 'Energy Loop' in the downtown square... and thought it was a very exciting piece... reminded me alittle of Bill Barrett's work.
Someone (best guess 'repairmen') had cut several 2"x3" vents at the base of the piece... so it looked like 1/4" steel to me.
Was really surprised to learn it was Corten... the deterioration seemed to be excessive for 25years. Is this 'normal' wear for Corten? Was the piece 'coated' in any way?
Anyway, I hope the piece does find a home in Asheville... with all of the Art Galleries and the general 'Artsy' atmosphere of the town, its hard to believe the locals find the piece out-of-place.
Gene

[Harry McDaniel]

http://buncombe.main.nc.us/~harrymc/Misc/Energy_Loop--crane.jpg

On 4/13/06 Energy Loop was moved to the studio where it will be restored. I had the opportunity to watch the crane lift it from it’s footing and set it onto the low-boy trailer (always exciting for us sculptors). In preparation for the move, Robert Gursky, who will be doing the restoration, welded a large piece of angle iron across the top to stabilize the sculpture, then the company that was hired to move it welded some channel around the bottom to link the three points of ground contact. They applied a little upward pressure with the crane and cut it loose. Everything looked very solid as it was moved. I think all of the talk of its deteriorated condition was a bit overblown (which is not to say that it didn’t need restoration).

I spoke with Robert Gursky and learned a few more details about the sculpture. He said that it was constructed mostly of 11 gauge cor-ten, but the bottom edge (more-or-less from ground level down) is ¼” mild steel. The mild steel was embedded in concrete. There is almost no internal structure, except at the base there are ¼” plates (ribs?) that extend a few feet up into each part of the sculpture that contacts the ground. I took a picture showing the torch-cut bottom edges. You may be able to see the rib that divides the opening.

http://buncombe.main.nc.us/~harrymc/Misc/Energy_Loop--interior.jpg

Robert said that they found standing water in the sculpture when they made the initial cuts (no surprise really since there were rust holes in the upper parts). He plans to include a stainless drainage system in the new footing.

He plans to cut off the mild steel and the damaged adjoining cor-ten and replace it with stainless, extending a little above ground level. He will rough the surface of the stainless, then paint it to match the cor-ten (with the expectation that it will need periodic re-painting).

[saisuhang]

Read more, know more.

[JAZ]

this is a very useful post, Harry. Thanks for the insights into this scenario. What is your personal opinion of the painted mild steel idea?
JAZ

[Studioinde]

Yes, thank you for the pictures and the information on the moving and restoration of this sculpture. I am especially interested in the information you got from talking to the artist who is going to do the work. I sure hope this piece is sited properly when the restoration is complete. I think it is a fantastic piece of sculpture.
Regards,
Brian

[Harry McDaniel]

this is a very useful post, Harry. Thanks for the insights into this scenario. What is your personal opinion of the painted mild steel idea?
JAZ

I don't have experience with stainless, so I don't have an opinion, though I am sure that others do. :) I suspect that the original mild steel bottom edge (embedded in concrete) would have been OK much longer if an internal drainage system had been in place. I think the real problem came at the point when rainwater could seep in through a few pinholes.

[Merlion]

I suspect that the original mild steel bottom edge (embedded in concrete) would have been OK much longer if an internal drainage system had been in place. I think the real problem came at the point when rainwater could seep in through a few pinholes.

It is a good lesson for all. Water can collect at the bottom inside and has to be allowed to drain out.

[Harry McDaniel]

Good news about "Energy Loop": It has been taken from storage, after being repaired a few years ago, and placed back in public space. Here is a link to a brief article:
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990710068
Unfortunately, the people in charge of renovating Pack Square didn't want it back in the park, so a new site was found. I haven't seen it yet, so I can't comment on the site, but I'll post a picture ASAP.

[The Forge]

Sound like the sculptor had no plans for the piece to last too long. With the lighter guage metal at the top and thicker at the bottom. Was he worried about weight? Was the sculpture originally made with no bottom? Why would you attach a corten piece to a mild steel plate. As we know, Corten will develop a very dense coating of rust that will stop 'rusting' after a while ; but, you need to allow for those rusting areas to loose an amount of material in the process. In welding Corten, you need to use the correct filler material or you just lost the advantage of the metal. Thin sections that have 'rusted' away are hard to replace without major reconstruction. Maybe it needs to be restored and then kept in a cover area?:)

[suburbanartists]

Thanks for the update and link. This is a Good Thread thanks.

[ironman]

Hi, I would bet that the sculptor didn't use weld wire or rod that is made for corten but instead just used your normal "mild" steel rod.
Have a great day,
Jeff

[The Forge]

Ironman,
I agree with you totally. I built a commission out of 1/8" Corten in 1970 and used the recommended rod. It is still as sturdy now as it was when installed and it sits on an ocean beach within 200' of the water. :)

[Harry McDaniel]

Here (finally) are some pictures of Energy Loop in its new site:

http://www.harrymcdaniel.com/jpeg/Energy_Loop_new_site_1.jpg

http://www.harrymcdaniel.com/jpeg/Energy_Loop_new_site_2.jpg

I am pleased that a spacious site was found that gives dignity to the sculpture.

[evaldart]

Very nice piece...what are the dimensions?. Cant keep those guys hidden at the studio. Congratulations, it looks great.

Tell us about how this character came about.

[evaldart]

Never mind...I missed this one somehow first time around.:confused:

[Biomorph]

I picked up the thread with the pictures of the sculpture in its new location, without reading the back story, and immediately felt that this was a good example of an outdoor piece in just the right place. Surrounding buildings, scale, seem just right. Seems a good solution to the development preservation tangle in at least this one case.
I read in these threads some time ago about laws protecting public sculpture, which I am dubious about, but I guess that such did not exist here, at least not mentioned above.
Apropos of nothing I see that Sotheby's just sold Warhol's silk screen of bills for 40 million and change.

[Harry McDaniel]

For anyone else who may arrive at this page without reading the previous page, I will just re-state that “Energy Loop” is a sculpture by Dirck Cruser, who died in 1996. It was installed in City-County Plaza in Asheville, NC in 1982. Due to a re-design of City-County Plaza, it was relocated after being restored.