Taking Flight
Donald Gialanella, 2020
101 State Street W., Oldsmar
In 2019, the City placed a Call to Artist to artists, architects, and design professionals to submit qualifications for creating and installing a permanent exterior public art piece. The specifications were that the selected art piece should be iconic, represent Oldsmar’s uniqueness, and have an interactive component for the pedestrian environment.
Local world-renowned artist Donald Gialanella was awarded the $38,000 budget for his “Taking Flight” proposal.
The sculpture is a pair of 12-foot-tall wings made of 316 marine grade stainless steel. A major feature of the sculpture is its interactivity. Visitors are invited to “wear” the wings by standing in front of them while posing for pictures. The base units are made of Corten steel with Oldsmobile transmission gears added.