Tioga Recreation Area - Hematite Bike Sculpture
Front Elevation of Hematite Bike Sculpture.
Hematite Bike Sculpture
Completion Date: 2020
Location: Tioga Recreation Area, Grand Rapids, MN
Materials: Steel, Cut Bike Frames, Concrete.
Dimensions: 12’ x 4’6” x 4’
Designed and assembled by Aaron Squadroni. Steel panels fabricated by Furin and Shea. Concrete foundation by A1-Concrete.
Sculpture panels on site before assembly.
Perspective of sculpture showing bike frame connections.
Repurposed bike frames.
Bike frame sections.
Plasma cut metal panels.
Located at the Tioga Recreation Area trailhead, the Hematite Bike sculpture highlights mountain biking while also referencing the history of iron mining at the Tioga mine pit. The sculpture represents a mountain bike contained within a hematite boulder. The materials used are influenced by old machinery left in mines of the region. Rusted steel and expanded metal mesh are both products of iron ore mining while also being consistent with signage on the site. Color is brought into the sculpture through the repurposing of old or damaged bike frames. The bike frames were sliced into tubes of equal length and used to connect the large metal panels together. The sculpture engages those who walk or bike past by changing in appearance as people move around it.
Perspective of Hematite Bike sculpture showing donor panel.