City of Fort Worth, TX

06/02/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/02/2022 12:53

Public art pedestrian bridge to be dedicated in Westcreek

Public art pedestrian bridge to be dedicated in Westcreek

Published on June 02, 2022

Attend the dedication of Drift, by Volkan Alkanoglu. Operating at the intersection of public art, infrastructure and architecture, Drift is an artist-designed pedestrian bridge in the Westcreek neighborhood.

The dedication will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at the bridge site on Westcreek Drive, south of Bilglade Road between Martin Lydon Avenue and Cordone Street.

Drift is inspired by the natural formations in and along the creek and the mid-century architecture of the Westcreek neighborhood. At 58 feet long and 12 feet wide, the bridge's organic shape widens in the center for the public to briefly rest and enjoy the view. The Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bridge was fabricated by Ignition Arts and Brownsmith Studios using methods similar to shipbuilding, with a steel skeleton sheathed in Spanish cedar. Since it has been installed, the naturally reddish Spanish cedar has been allowed to develop its expected silver patina.

The artist describes Drift as an example of plug-and-play urbanism, a design approach that involves constructing elements offsite and then bringing them to the location. Alkanoglu's first infrastructure project, Drift continues the artist's involvement in projects that can be engaged with.

"I'm interested in what these pieces can do in a social setting. Embedded in my work is always the hope that design can enhance how we interact, support and communicate with each other," he said.

The area serves as a park for the surrounding Westcreek neighborhood, and by connecting the walking paths along Westcreek Drive, this artwork enables better pedestrian connectivity to the Trinity Trails via Kellis Park, Foster Park and Overton Park.

The dedication will be outdoors, in-person and livestreamed on Fort Worth Public Art's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/fwpublicart rain or shine. To celebrate the connectivity to the parks and trail system the bridge provides, there will be a one-mile walk/run immediately after the dedication. Suitable footwear is encouraged.

Photo: Drift is made of Spanish cedar over steel.

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