Freak Beacon
The Challenge, The Solution, The Results
Matt Naimi, owner of Recycle Here has a vision for his city, Detroit. Recycle, but also turn the trash into art at the Lincoln Street Art Park adjacent to the business. Recycle Here offers a recycling program done like cavemen would do, he says.
No machines. Youre bringing us the stuff, youre separating everything, youre looking at the numbers, youre spending time with your garbage, but people really, really love it. The space also hosts Green Living Science, a nonprofit spin-off that provides recycling education.
The space has an old shipping container that has been converted into a classroom for the children of Detroit to learn about art and the environment. The floor, Naimi says, came from a school gymnasium. The plywood walls came from 2014's Eminem and Rihanna concert, and theyre insulated with shredded $100 bills from the Federal Reserve!
The Freak Beacon is made of steel, explains Lincoln Street Art Park and Recycle Here! Organizer Matthew Naimi, via email. Once fabricated, the entire sculpture was put through a hot dip galvanizing process.
The galvanizing process protects the sculpture from rust and oxidation while giving it the striking shiny silver look. The art park was looking for a signature piece that would stand out and be a beacon for the community. The idea of the 75' "Freak Beacon" with its unique ball was just what they were looking for.
In Detroit, the Motor City, Engineering meets Art! With the steel structure being exposed to harsh industrial environment hot-dip galvanizing was the only solution. It was green and sustainable unlike other coatings.
The galvanizer was so excited to be a part of project and donate the galvanizing for the project. When the owner, Matt came to us wanting to hot-dip galvanize the tower it was a no brainer that we would do the job at no cost! Detroit is a great city, and we want to sustain her for years to come." The ball needed to be done in several sections along with the tower.
After galvanizing it went together like a glove and now stands proudly above the park. http://www.knightfoundation.org/articles/detroit-freak-beacon
Every Detail Tells Our Story
Dive deeper into this project with exclusive images that capture the craftsmanship, precision, and galvanizing expertise that brought this vision to life.
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