Conveyance (Vitalia)

In our role as exhibition designers for the 2006 Olnick Spanu Art Program, we took on a comprehensive role in coordinating the design, fabrication, and installation of the captivating artwork titled “Conveyance (Vitalia)” by Massimo Bartolini. This multifaceted engagement included overseeing the intricate plumbing system integral to the functionality of the piece.

“Conveyance (Vitalia)” is a stainless steel concentric circular benchfea turing a central pool that hosts a perpetual vertical wave. This dynamic installation represents a harmonious interaction between movement and stillness, as the perpetual wave creates a rhythmic heartbeat. The circular bench, with its central pool and mesmerizing wave, serves as an invitation to viewers, transporting them to an ideal space for contemplation. Bartolini’s creation induces a state that is both meditative and highly experiential, encouraging a profound engagement with the environment. Our involvement in the project extended to coordinating the design process, ensuring the accurate fabrication of the stainless steel bench, and overseeing the installation of the entire piece. This included a meticulous focus on the plumbing system essential for the perpetual vertical wave, a key element that contributes to the immersive and dynamic nature of the artwork. “Conveyance (Vitalia)” becomes a powerful conduit for a unique experience, inviting viewers to participate in the “osmosis” of sky, water, and land generated by the perpetual wave. Bartolini’s creation serves as a catalyst for an unexpected reality, opening up new perceptions of self and the universe. Through our coordinated efforts, we aimed to enhance the physical and meditative aspects of the viewer’s experience, unifying interior and exterior, individual and society, private and public, past and present within the contemplative embrace of the artwork.

Artist: Massimo Bartolini Project management, technical assistance, procurement, installation: MQ Architecture Location: Garrison, NY Completion Date: 2006 Photography: Marco Anelli