By Ken Storey
What is a museum? Every district in every town wishes for an art museum of its own. But where does one put such a museum in a densely populated district when no funds exist for a structure? Well Mills50 is putting it wherever and everywhere it will fit. The Mills50 Urban Art Museum will feature 50 signature public art pieces in an urban network weaving throughout the commercial district. UAM goals include restoring blighted structures, reducing pollution and deviant activity, increasing the attractiveness of the district, and promoting organized urban art with the network commissioned pieces.
The first piece the new ‘museum’ will is an LED and aluminum
piece by Marcos Cruz. Cruz also has many
prominent pieces throughout the Amway Center.
The UAM piece by Cruz will go in a 9” interstitial space between 932 and
934 N. Mills Avenue.
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| Very early rendering of what the art piece may look like. |
Process Architecture is helping leading the Mills50 Urban
Art Museum initiative. Process is
quickly becoming known as the go to firm for work within Mills50. 934-936 N. Mills, Cameo Theatre, and the new
interactive bus stops in Mills50 are all done by the firm.
It was Process’s work on 934-936 N. Mills that brought the 9”
interstitial space to their attention.
Currently the space is filled with trash including switchblades, empty
beer bottles, and other unpleasant sights.
The new piece will take this overlooked, trash filled hole and replace
it with a unique art installation that local businesses will be proud to
reference.
The Urban Art Museum will launch a Kickstarter campaign next
week, seeking to raise $4000 for the Marcos Cruz piece. Any additional funds raised will help fund
future art installations for the museum.
Mills50 also features some great art from local artists with
its Art Box project. The drab transportation
engineering utility cabinets found near traffic signals get a colorful makeover
helping bring art to the streets of the community. One of the boxes was even done by Orlando
City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and features one of her famed bad kitty paintings.
Images via ProcessArchitectureLLC.com
