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James Center Plaza

Artists: James Sanborn, sculptor; M. Paul Freeburg, landscape architect

Location: James Center, Richmond, VA (no longer in existence)

Date: 1987

Materials: historic granite canal blocks, granite paving, lodestone, quartz, 400x400'

Size: 400' x 400'

Jim Sanborn's Description of the Site Concept:  

This project was a collaboration between myself and the landscape architect, M. Paul Friedberg.  I decided to use a large number of historic canal blocks which were being stored by the City of Richmond.  We designed a work which could be used as an amphitheatre for outdoor concerts and theatrical events.  The blocks themselves could not be cleaned or altered in any way.  We chose to incorporate the "foot print" of  two canal locks into the design scheme.  It seemed appropriate since during excavation for this project a 19 Century canal turning basin and several canal boats were discovered under the site and removed for study.

This project was designed to be a temporary installation without concrete footings because this plaza was to be replaced by a multi-story office tower.  This park, as a result, no longer exists.

James Center Plaza - image courtesy of Francoise Yohalem         James Center Plaza - image courtesy of Francoise Yohalem 

   

Page created: September 19, 2003          

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