Wake: NYC Times Square
“Wake” Sculpture by Mel Chin Created in Collaboration with UNC Asheville — Opens in New York’s Times Square
UNC Online | July 19, 2018 | By Communications
Designed, engineered, sculpted and fabricated in UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio, Mel Chin’s Wake sculptural installation was officially unveiled in New York City’s Times Square at a public and media event on July 11, 2018.
UNC Asheville students and faculty from mechatronics engineering, art, and other disciplines began working in August with Chin, the conceptual artist was the university’s Black Mountain College Legacy Fellow in fall semester 2017. Work on the project continued into July when the sculpture was trucked in many pieces from Asheville to New York City. The STEAM Studio team worked round the clock in shifts from July 8 until early morning on July 11 to complete installation of Wake.
Wake is paired with Unmoored, a mixed reality work presenting a digital vision of a future Times Square after many years of sea level rise. Chin takes on the 19th century origins of celebrity and marketing, our changing relationship with nature, and the 21st century ability to project an audience deep into the future through technology. Read the full story.
Wake Comes to Life
Wake NYC Opening Day.
Students assemble Wake in Times Square.
Mel and Jeb chat.
Two students work on Jenny Lind's head.
Wake debuts at UNC Asheville before heading to Times Square.
Construction of the Wake Sculpture begins.
Students construct structural support for the Wake sculpture.
Visiting Artists & Collaborators
In addition to UNCA students, faculty and staff, an incredible group of artists and fabricators lent their talents to the realization of Wake. We are incredibly grateful for their work and for the time they shared with our team and our students. Several of the lead artists and fabricators are highlighted below.
Sandra Sell
Sandra Sell took lead on the assemblage and carving of Jenny’s skirt. Using chainsaws and grinders, Sell expertly crafted the folds. She worked with Sculpture student Jeb Hedgecock to translate the digital model of the skirt into the real thing.
Sandra Sell working on the Wake sculpture
Sandra carves detail into the skirt of Jenny Lind's skirt
Sandra and team discuss construction plans for Wake
Nina Nichols
Nina Nichols created and executed the paint plan for the entire piece making newly processed wood and fiberglass look like it had weathered a century and a half on the ocean floor. Nichols also taught our students and staff how to work with foam, fiberglass, and resin to create Jenny’s bodice, arms, and head.
Nina begins the weathering process for part of the Wake sculpture
Nina Nichols give instructions to a student working with foam
The end result of a weathering technique used to age the Wake sculpture's appearance.
Nina and team sculpting the head of Jenny Linds' Statue.
Justin Turcotte
Justin Turcotte supported all fabrication efforts, including the intricate I-Beam base for the ship. He worked with UNCA faculty Jordan Krutsch to fabricate the rib structures. His expertise in forming and welding steel in addition to moving it around a jobsite safely was instrumental in the fabrication and installation.
Justin Turcotte constructing part of the I-beam base for the ship.
Justin sets up the I-beam base in Times Square
Justin and team discuss support on the I-beam base.
Justin and team make adjustments to the I-beam.
Charles Tucker
Charles Tucker brought an incredible crew of folks with him from Ohio in the final weeks ahead of the installation. He and his crew jumped in and took charge of the rib carving and handrail fabrication. Their work was critical for getting the piece finished in time.
Charles and team bring detail into the rib carving.
Chainsaws and other tools used in constructing the Wake sculpture.
Patters begin to take shape as details are carved into the Wake sculpture.
UNC Asheville's STEAM Studio team sets up the handrail in New York City's Times Square.