Design Objectives: The 45-foot tall public art installation, Aspire, was commissioned by Louisiana Tech University and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. The project serves as both an aspirational totem and a symbol of collaboration, unity and inclusivity. It was important to the University that Aspire be both an aspirational totem, as well as a symbol of collaboration, unity, and inclusivity. The art serves to invigorate the urban experience while bringing diverse parts of the campus and surrounding City of Ruston together. A purposeful harmonious relationship was created between the art, the landscape, and the people. This new public space is now a campus focal point and serves as a permanent symbol for humanity.

Design Concept: The project, completed in November 2021, is located at Louisiana Tech University along the east end of the Campus Green. The University has placed a high importance to “welcoming gateways” in the master plan. The historic campus core and new Enterprise Campus come together at this location. Campus leaders have determined this campus confluence would be the perfect location for an iconic work of art. At nearly 45 feet tall, Aspire emerges graciously from the landscape in the form of a cascading fountain. Important to the overall campus master plan, the fountain metaphor is meant to harmonize with another noteworthy public sculpture on campus – the Lady of the Mist.

Type: Public Art, Sculptural Lighting, Permanent Installation

Techniques: Procedural design, electrical engineering, 3D pixel-mapping, generative animation, software development, and lighting design.

Materials: Coated steel pipe, powder coated steel panel, acrylic panel, and integrated linear addressable LED lighting.

Partners: Sclutpture Artist(Curtis Pittman), Night Owl Hal Fabrication

Location: Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA