Sunrising Sculpture
Sunrising, the East Patrol Station design, showcases a wall sculpture resembling sunflowers and the Wichita Police shield. Positioned on the facility's north facade, this sculpture symbolizes unity among officers. Sunflowers, embodying vigilance and tied to Wichita's identity, evoke a constant orientation towards light, reflecting the force's mission.
Date 2023
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Project Type: Public Art
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Keywords:
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Team: Rodrigo Gallardo
Sunrising is a three-dimensional wall sculpture for the East Patrol Station that takes inspiration from a sunrise and the sunflower, a symbol of Kansas and the City of Wichita. It features stylized versions of the Wichita Police shield arranged in a spiral pattern like the seeds of a sunflower, mounted on the north façade of the building. The sunflower’s habit of always facing the sun reflects the police department’s commitment to vigilance, guidance, and service, while the many petals echo how individual officers come together as one force and one community. Brass-colored shields stand out against a dark blue-gray background—colors drawn from Wichita police badges—with each shield tilted at a slightly different angle to create shifting colors, shadows, and reflections as people move by and as the light changes throughout the day. At night, lighting from below highlights the sculpture’s form, reinforcing its message of protection, fairness, and a welcoming light for the community.
Installation/ Fabrication
Our proposal consists of a series of 282 painted metal panels arranged within a phyllotaxis pattern. Each panel consists of a single, bent metal panel painted with two colors. Each panel will be attached to the existing building using a cleat and anchor system. Each cleat will be fabricated out of a bent metal plate and securely fastened to the existing wall. A series of set screws will secure the painted panels in place. All panels and cleats will be prefabricated off site and delivered to the site for final installation and assembly.
Materials/ Maintenance
The materials used for our proposal consist of painted metal panels and galvanized fasteners. These materials will produce a durable product that will require very limited to no maintenance beyond a yearly dusting to keep dust and buildup from gathering. Surfaces should be cleaned with either a soft cloth or a brush, using a solution of mild soap and warm water to reduce any buildup. Surfaces can be damaged if harsh solvents are used for cleaning. UV clear coating is typically recommended every 10 years to maintain industrial paint, however this facade is north-facing and often shaded, therefore we would recommend an as-needed application.
