Official Dedication: Soleri Bridge and Plaza (2010)

Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, celebrated the completion of the first bridge designed by renowned architect-artist Paolo Soleri to be constructed in the world.

Paolo Soleri, members of Cosanti Foundation, City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Public Art, and more than 1,500 dignitaries, residents and visitors, gathered at the Downtown Scottsdale canal waterfront December 10-11, 2010, for the dedication of the recently completed Soleri Bridge and Plaza.

Official remarks on December 11 culminated with a "community waterfall" using water collected from the Arizona Canal at the location of the Soleri Bridge and Plaza. The historic moment is the culmination of years of creative design, planning and construction by the renowned Italian artist, architect, and philosopher who is celebrated worldwide for his forward-thinking concept of arcology. Because of the remarkable efforts and sustained vision of many, a landmark has been created, and a community enriched for generations.

The Soleri Bridge and Plaza is a joint City of Scottsdale Capital Improvement Project and Scottsdale Public Art commission funded in part by Starwood Capital Group and Golub & Company, Ground Up Development Services and Salt River Project.

The Soleri Bridge and Plaza is designed as a public, pedestrian space that also marks solar events. The suspension/compression pedestrian bridge features two 64-foot pylons with an opening that allows a beam of sunlight to shine through, aligning with the axis of the bridge at solar noon.

OFFICIAL PUBLIC DEDICATION, DECEMBER 11, 2010

WITH REMARKS BY
Dick Hayslip, Associate General Manager, Salt River Project
Bob Frost, Scottsdale Poet Laureate
Valerie Vadala Homer, Director, Scottsdale Public Art
Honorable Mayor Jim Lane
Will Bruder Architect
Paolo Soleri, Project Architect-Artist
Dick Hayslip, Official Dedication with "Community Waterfall"

SPECIAL PROGRAM NOTES
Spectrum: Community Waterfall
Atmospheric performance by Vessel, directed by Rachel Bowditch
Experimental analog electro machine music by Elektrobahn
Plein air painting by Scottsdale Artists School
Ice sculptures by Summit Schools Vitruvius Program
Silt casting by Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Appearance by Walter the Bus
Specialty seating courtesy Design Within Reach
Ushers courtesy Mayor's Youth Council and Scottsdale Leadership

ScottsdalePublicArt.org

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• Scottsdale
• Public
• Art
• Waterfront
• Canal
• Paolo
• Soleri
• Dedication
• City
• Council
• Bridge
• Plaza
• Cosanti