Residing within Reno's newly-established public art location in the City Plaza is a tall, stainless steel sculpture titled,
Portal of Evolution by artist Bryan Tedrick. A local arts foundation
website highlights this kinetic sculpture and reads:
The base of Portal of Evolution is a cocoon-like enclosure, large enough for several people to stand in. Organic, floral shapes sprout from the base, crowned by a massive, delicate butterfly, which revolves slowly in the wind. The artist frequently touches on themes of the forces and wonder of nature, this time illustrating a moment of transformation and actualization. The sculpture invites visitors to participate in a very personal way, by stepping into the base and becoming part of the sculpture. Safe inside the enclosure, one may reflect on their own potential, peripherally sensing the grandeur of the butterfly directly above them. The sculpture was first displayed at Burning Man in 2009.
About the Artist:
Born in Oakland, California in 1955, and raised in Point Richmond, California, Bryan Tedrick has always shown an aptitude and interest in building large-scale structures. In his youth, Tedrick first learned design and constructions skills as a carpenter, working directly for architects and contractors. He briefly worked at the Kaiser Shipyard, where he learned to weld and safely work with hefty materials.
In 1976, Tedrick moved to Mendicino, California, where he bought a property near the Gualala River. “I did the Siddhartha thing. I sort of had my material scene together so then I said, ‘What do I want to do next in life?’ So I went back to school. Art was my one attempt as serious conformity and I’ve stuck with it ever since.” He received a B.F.A. in Sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1985.
Tedrick now resides and works in his studio in Glen Ellen, California. He and his wife, Terry Roberts, have two children, Nathalie and Jakob.
Tedrick says the following regarding this sculpture:
“The context of Black Rock City (BRC) inspired me to create sculpture unencumbered by compromise. Being able to share this work in the broader context of a major urban center is a surprise. Frankly, I didn’t think the outside world would embrace such magically bizarre work and this gives me hope that our culture is ready to open to new ways of seeing life and celebrating creativity.”
There is a YouTube video link here that highlights the creation of this sculpture for the Burning Man art and culture festival held annually in the Nevada Black Rock Desert and shows the butterfly moving in the wind during the festival.
There is also another weblink to the Downtown Reno Makeover association that contains a picture of this sculpture being installed in the city plaza.