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Translucent white elliptical elements suspended on stainless steel cable are activated with 8 programmable LED lamps
Project Agency: Oklahoma State University
Artwork Location: Multi-Modal Transit Terminal
Stillwater , Oklahoma 74074

The Artwork

Translucent white elliptical elements suspended on stainless steel cable are activated with 8 programmable LED lamps.
Sheltering Movement is a suspended installation located in the Multimodal Transportation Center at Oklahoma State University. The installation emphasizes the concept of dynamic and uplifting movement, giving a feeling of constant directional shift, animating and filling a large curved open space. Translucent white elliptical elements suspended on stainless steel cable are activated with 8 programmable LED lamps changing to a variety of environmental shows depending on holidays, game days and party atmosphere for the student body at this vital University space.

The Artist

Koryn Rolstad established Koryn Rolstad Studios (KRS), her internationally recognized firm in Seattle in 1975 after graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts, Environmental Design and Architecture. Rolstad’s varied education supports her artistic voice, which explores structural forms, materials, lighting, shadowing, color and imagery. Her installations are fun, educational and pertinent to their architectural 'home’ and ‘sense of place’, reimagining public spaces to provide communities’ opportunities for connectivity, interaction and sustained development.

Combining the philosophies of art and design, Rolstad uses strong forms, images and lighting to emphasize architecture and natural surroundings. Her interactive and site-specific public art installations are intended to develop a community voice, iconic appeal and a unique visual language. She has a detailed history creating and collaborating on site-specific public projects, including public buildings, plazas and streetscapes. Her criterion throughout is "that the enjoyment and impact of the installations relate to the people who work and interact within these environments."

Rolstad’s most significant artworks involve stakeholders in the public art process. Through inquiry, she develops an understanding of the community and the project. Working with government, civic, corporate and educational stakeholders, Rolstad’s holistic approach resolves visual and identity challenges while achieving goals for education and interaction. Her skills as an engineer, ideas of a scientist, and eye and soul of an artist are well suited to the breadth of public art projects. Rolstad’s public works comprise installations in all regions of the US, as well as Canada, Japan, South Africa, and South America. Her latest projects are in Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Washington, and Utah.

KRS manages design, engineering and fabrication using metal, eco-resins, mixed media and higher computer technologies. The projects often engage fabricators and vendors local to the installation areas, keeping projects on budget and supporting business within each region. KRS produces detailed construction design drawings for all projects. Many past projects and client goals comply with LEED standards, including LEED GOLD certification.

Rolstad’s works and vision have influenced Seattle’s identity and development. Her commitment to building the 1996 AIA Honor Awarded Banner Building initiated Belltown’s transformation into a very desirable waterfront neighborhood. The concept to provide creative people and self-employed individuals the opportunity to own and build out their units was the first of its kind, bringing art and commerce together, rejuvenating a distressed neighborhood. The Banner Building was recognized globally for its innovation and “industrial ethic,” winning several awards including the 1996 AIA Honor Award for Architecture and inclusion in Sydney LeBlanc’s The Architecture Traveler – A Guide to 250 Key Twentieth-Century American Buildings.

In addition to designing public art and urban stakeholder projects, Rolstad donates time to supporting the arts and community in Seattle, the US and internationally as a lecturer and organizer. She has worked with various National Theater and Opera organizations along with urban and arts groups. Rolstad often opens her home to traveling artists, opera singers and musicians on extended stays in Seattle as well as hosting events in support of the arts, architecture and community advocacy. Rolstad has also lectured on Urban Development & Environmental Art at many prestigious universities including MIT, Harvard, Howard University, University of Washington, and Dartmouth.

Rolstad is a classical pianist, an avid skier, multilingual and counts her large group of friends and commitment to community as her greatest achievements – not to mention her cats, Bob and Mel.