Business and creative partners Jon Koehler, of Ocean Beach, and Neil Shigley, of Downtown, are passionate about their work.
While visiting their workshop “” which looks more like a contractor’s tool shed than an art studio, with equipment blaring as people maneuver around sheets of metal sanding and polishing – they’re practically bursting to share their process and discuss their newly formed Ocean Beach-based business, Koehler Shigley Inc.
“It’s alive. It’s constantly changing,” Koehler said of the design process as well as the completed project. “It’s a never ending evolution of work.”
Among their first collaborated efforts is the sculpture “Ballenas,” which is part of the Urban Trees, a Port of San Diego Public Art Project created in 2003 to give the Embarcadero life while the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan was still in the works.
“Ballenas” features two abstract shapes depicting whales migrating that shift with the blowing of the wind.
“The Embarcadero really needed something to activate or liven it up,” said Catherine Sass, director of the Port’s Public Art Department.
The goal of the project was to draw the public to the waterfront and give them something to do and see while they enjoyed the area, Sass said.
The theme of Urban Trees was used to guide artists in the general shape and size of the work, but not necessarily restrict them to designing trees.
“The first year I think that the artists “¦ thought that it had to be trees,” Sass said. “Some of them, of course, pushed the envelope, and by the second year everyone was pushing the envelope, which is what we wanted.”
Koehler, who is one of three artists to participate in all four Urban Tree installations, was among those pushing the envelope.
His first “tree,” titled “Evolution,” depicts three stainless steel sails rotating in the breeze.
As one of his first true works of art “” Koehler previously created custom stainless steel and aluminum products for fine yachts “” “Evolution” was inspired by his work in the boating world and shows how Koehler’s work evolved from function, with an artistic feel, to pure art.
The fourth installation of Urban Trees opened June 23 and will be available for viewing for one year at this idyllic waterfront setting.
It may be surprising to discover that Koehler and Shigley have known each other for only seven years; they seem like two peas in the same creative pod.
According to Shigley, who previously worked mostly in two-dimensional design, the two began collaborating only five years ago and have only designed and created works together for about a year.
“The inspiration doubles,” Shigley said of working with Koehler.
“It would have been a mistake not to work together.”
In fact, Koehler explained that it is thanks to Shigley that he became involved in the Port’s public art project, Urban Trees.
Shigley was notified when the port sent out a call for artists to submit proposals for the first installment of Urban Trees.
He immediately thought to discuss proposal ideas with Koehler.
The timing was perfect. Koehler, whom Shigley described as a “metal genius,” had decided it was time to focus on the art “” and not the function “” of his unique metalwork designs.
Since then, Koehler has immersed himself in the art world, only working on non-art-related projects during periods when waiting for approval from various committees.
Ultimately, he sees himself as a full-time metal artist.
Shigley and Koehler have a symbiotic relationship, working separately yet together at the same time. The two discuss ideas, then Shigley draws it out.
Once the design is drawn, Koehler begins imagining how to build it.
Both Shigley and Koehler insist the other’s portion of work is what sells the design.
A key feature of Koehler Shigley designs is the kinetic aspect. Every piece sways or flows with the wind.
Shigley, who documents their progress through each project, also photographs the completed work, which can prove difficult as the piece shifts with the changing breeze.
Working on sculptures that stand over 18 feet tall take a lot of man (and woman) power, which is why Koehler and Shigley depend on a small group of apprentices to assist them during creation and installation.
Kent Davis, Alexis Archibald and Manuel Diaz each have experience in metal work and approached Koehler to assist and learn.
Besides being additional strength when handling tons of metal, they also work on aspects of each Koehler Shigley design, including the intricate mechanisms that allow the sculpture to move and giving them a polished finish.
Koehler and Shigley hope that exposure at the Embarcadero will lead to more opportunities for commissioned work in San Diego.
They are currently working on a piece for a business in Nevada and one day hope to have creations all over the world.
“We are trying to go far and wide,” Shigley said. “But San Diego is our home and whatever we can do, humbly, to make San Diego a more beautiful place.”
“Ballenas” and the other Urban Trees are on loan to the Port until June 2008.
They can be viewed along the Embarcadero from the cruise ship terminal to Hawthorne Street.
Each tree is available for purchase from the artist at the end of the exhibit.
For more information on the Port of San Diego Urban Tree project visit www.portof sandiego.org/publicart or call (619) 686-7246.