Artist Dale Rogers brings Flight! to ArtPrize

Dale Rogers, the arists who at last year's ArtPrize covered the Blue Bridge with Metal Monkey Mania, will be returning this year with his new exhibit, Flight! The exhibit will be placed at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, on the riverfront in front of the Ford Museum. It will consist of nine giant steel birds supported by metal frames placed throughout the space. Rogers' prefence for steel as a material stems from its ability to weather time and his switch to to stainless steel for this year's piece results from its cleaner, reflective sheen. The latter element, says Rogers, will be particularly useful for Flight!'s birds' ability to reflect the sunlight and give the illusion of movement.

Rogers has stated that he wants his work to inspire his audience. He writes about his motivation for Flight! on the ArtPrize site, "The exhibit will show the delicate balance between fear, which holds us to the ground and flight, which gives us the freedom to soar and reach all of our dreams." Ah-Nab-Awen Park has been chosen not only because of its ability to house the exhibit, but also for its proximity to the Grand River, which will add to the birds' reflective quality.

Rogers has produced work for ArtPrize for the last two years. Allisa Rudden, an affiliate of his at his official website, says that Rogers "is very happy to be returning to ArtPrize[.] He loves the concept of ArtPrize and bringing art to the public. He thinks it is such a vital thing to the community."

"I want to be a part of placing art in as many public venues as possible," Rogers adds in his artist statement. "I truly believe adding sculpture to the public landscape forever enhances the environment and the art serves as a reflection of the quality of the community."