Connected 2018
BeforeLive Oak Library before.
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In-progressWorking view.
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CompletionLive Oak Library Completed
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Connected
This design was inspired by the many unique ways that the public library contributes to our society today. The contemporary neighborhood library is an extraordinary platform for innovation, one that embraces new forms of knowledge and technology and fosters valuable relationships within our communities. Connected highlights the library as a space of learning, one that sprouts fresh ideas and nurtures their growth to fruition. Above all, the library is shown as a collective space that welcomes all ages and people.
The mural is depicted primarily in gold tones, which represents the value and importance of the public library within our culture. Interlocking cogs create the backdrop connecting all three scenes within the mural. The cogs, a symbol for collaboration, emphasize the library as a vital component within the framework of our communities, providing information, resources, and kinship for its patrons. They illustrate our intrinsic bond to one another reminding us that what affects one affects the whole.
Especially significant is the section showing a group of children planting a Live Oak tree with their teacher who is using a reference book as a teaching tool. This scene represents the continuation of knowledge, passed down from generation to generation. The tree is symbolic of new growth, show that the seed of knowledge can be planted within each one of us.
If you look closely, you will find a goldfinch hidden in the mural. The goldfinch is traditionally viewed as a symbol on communication and connection. The little bird in the mural was inspired by the goldfinch families that live in the trees near the building. “Each day while painting the mural I would watch the little goldfinches rest on the air vents on the Pizza Factory roof. I came to look forward to seeing them while I worked- depending on the time of day you might see them too!”