Tessellated Filigree is a careful exploration of the cultural, historical, and aesthetic implications of its Downtown location, converted into an abstract composition. The artist team carefully examined historic references, the street grid of Indianapolis, and the developer’s intent for the project as they created its design.  Referring to the original 1820 Alexander Ralston plan for Indianapolis, the artwork is a riff off the plan’s square grid cut by diagonal lines, resulting in a city packed with triangular blocks and five-point intersections. The artists skewed the grid and added a dimensional perspective, filling some of the triangles and rendering others as hollow outlines. A coating of reflective gold, referencing the surface of the Liberty sculpture atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument a block south, both adds a luxurious feel and highlights the piece’s geometry. The effect of the artwork is to enhance the special nature of Indianapolis, and provide a focal point to the building that is best viewed from across Meridian Street.

Indianapolis-based Project One Studio explores the possibilities of connection through new technology, materiality, and the human environment. Using innovative, often intricate systems to guide pattern development, construction techniques, and texture building, the artists collaborate nationally with architects, landscape architects, engineers, municipalities, and consultants to activate public and private spaces in ways that excite curiosity, welcome play, and delight the imagination.

This project was installed as part of the City of Indianapolis’ Public Art for Neighborhoods program.