Music Row was the locale for a huge news conference announcing a major change for the iconic Alan LeQuire sculpture “Musica” with Forest Home Media partner and Fountains of Musica Foundation board member, Nancy McNulty, coordinating. In the Nashville announcement, all major media outlets were represented. More about the privately funded initiative below or visit Fountains Of Musica.
Nashville’s iconic Music Row sculpture, “Musica,” will be undergoing a major transformative addition with a series of choreographed fountains, effectively completing the work of acclaimed artist Alan LeQuire, announced in a February news conference by the nonprofit behind the project, The Fountains of Musica Foundation, in partnership with Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and Music Row representatives.
Considered to be the largest bronze figure group in the United States, plans were outlined by foundation chairman Desmond Child, Grammy-winning producer and Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee, who revealed the animated rendering. The fountains have been designed by world-renowned WET, a Southern California-based, award-winning design and engineering firm responsible for the world’s most iconic water and fire environments, including the Sochi Winter Olympic Games’ Olympic Cauldron and the fountain at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Overview of the Fountains of Musica Foundation news conference announcement produced by Andrew Rozario, Steven Knapp and Mike Stryker.
“When the sculpture was unveiled in 2003, funding was not available for the fountains which are essential to the spirit of the project and for the transformation of ‘Musica’ into the landmark this city deserves,” Child said. “As with Rome’s Trevi Fountain and the fountains in Dubai, bringing water to ‘Musica’ will enhance our tourist industry status while completing an important artistic element of Nashville.”
Barry agreed stressing the landmark is a critical component of Music Row and will make it an even more popular tourist attraction.
“It is wonderful to see the artist and business communities coming together in partnership with Metro to see the original vision for ‘Musica’ come to a reality,” said Barry. “This landmark is a critical component of the Music Row neighborhood and I’m looking forward to seeing it become an even more pronounced display for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.”
The announcement of the fountains also kicks off fundraising efforts which board president, Andrée LeQuire, said will be an 18-month project.
“An important part of the project is taking care of its on-going maintenance, so as a nonprofit board we are seeking community support to build the fountains and create a maintenance fund,” LeQuire said. “The estimated total for the entire project of three fountains and on-going maintenance is $10 million and we are working in cooperation with multiple Metro departments for its installation. Generous private contributions have made the procurement of WET’s design possible. Now our new website has an easy donation process; donations big and small are essential to complete this exciting project.”
The sculpture is 38 feet in height and composed of nine dancing figures in a circular composition capturing the joy and exuberance of all the diverse and artistic genres of Music City. Industry leaders with an impressive international list of accomplishments, WET was chosen through a formal request for proposal process by the foundation to complete “Musica” by integrating its trademark fountain creations into the sculpture to achieve the board’s vision for this landmark destination.
The fountains will be comprised of a series of water-clad terraces that encircle the central sculpture and create a grade change within the site. The outermost terrace is divided into steps facing Demonbreun Street, from which flows a frothy cascade of water that connects it both symbolically and physically with its human audience. A spiraling formation of pulsing jets emerges from the terraces and radiates around the nine bronze dancers. Water glides through the air toward the outer reaches of the traffic circle, as if the muses themselves are showering their artistic spirit across Music Row to the citizens and visitors of Nashville.
In addition to the central fountains around “Musica,” Child said there will be an interactive water feature in Owen Bradley Park for kids as well as a complementary fountain built into the median divider cascading down Division toward 17th.
The privately funded the Fountains of Musica Capital Campaign will finance the build out of all three features and initial operating budgets. Bill Sullivan, foundation board chief financial officer, said, The Fountains of Musica Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to completing ‘Musica’ as a gift to the people of Nashville.”
Teresa Powell-Caldwell, senior vice president at WET said, “WET unleashes the magic of water and nature’s other elements to create shared experiences of movement, light, and emotion that reconnect us with our world, our senses, and each other. Collaborating with the board and Alan LeQuire to transform his magnificent sculpture into an evocative kinetic experience based on our expertise in this area was a rewarding artistic endeavor for WET, which we hope in turn will enrich the lives of those who experience the Fountains of Musica. We thank you all for trusting us achieve your vision in designing an experience that further evokes the creativity bursting from Nashville’s historic Music Row.”
Long-time supporter Reba McEntire weighed in on the project saying, “Music Row has always been a special place in my life and career. As entertainers, we come here with dreams to fulfill. As fans, we come to experience the place where the music of our lives comes from. Now with the Roundabout, ‘Musica’ and the new fountains, our beloved Music Row has a proper introduction!”
Child said once funding is secured, the sculpture transformation would be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017 and unveiled in a community celebration.
For more information, visit FountainsOfMusica.
