Exploring Brighton’s Sculpture: derived from circle – self series 3 and derived from circles – self series 2

Last week on our tour of Brighton’s public art, we looked at two sculptures. The first, Stephanie Buer’s Untitled Hand, was bought and donated to the city by Brighton’s city manager Dana Foster. The second, Jason Lowery’s Conscious of Her Shores, is a favorite among Brighton Arts and Culture Commission members.

This week, we’re viewing two pieces created by Israel Nordin, who studied glass and ceramics at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

In 2001, Israel and his brother, Erik, founded Detroit Design Center. They began by creating metal and glass sculptures for restaurants and soon found themselves handling custom orders for private residences. In addition to small and large scale metal and glass pieces, the brothers produce furniture.  

One of their most impressive pieces—a glass chandelier with a 22 ft. diameter—hangs inside Mosaic, one of Detroit’s hippest eateries.

derived from circles – self series 3

Much of the work in the Brighton Biennial seems to hinge on contrast. In the case of derived from circles – self series 3, that tension is drawn from the disparity between the sculpture’s size and the softness of its components.

Perched on a concrete pedestal in front of , the sculpture consists of four slender steel poles and a large, squat rivet of glass. One of the poles, smooth, polished and curved slightly, bears the weight of the three others.  

With a price tag of $18,900, derived from circles – self series 3 is the third-most expensive sculpture in the Brighton Biennial display. Two sculptures—Spiral the Gate and I-275—have asking prices of $30,000.

Brighton resident Stephen Dean said that he didn’t notice derived from circles – self series 3 at first even though he walks regularly at .

“Now that I know it’s there, I see it every time I’m at Mill Pond,” Dean said. “I like it. It blends well.”

derived from circles – self series 2

Like derived from circles – self series 3, derived from circles – self series 2 is composed of polished steel poles and a glass rivet. Its location on Grand River Avenue near provides for a much more urban display than derived from circles – self series 3.

With a slightly more modest asking price of $17,600, derived from circles – self series 2 is the fourth largest most expensive piece in the Brighton Biennial Sculpture Exhibit.

While there have been no offers on either piece thus far, Brighton will soon see more of the Nordin brother’s work. Three new sculptures——are set to be installed this summer.

The Brighton Biennial Sculpture Exhibit, a project overseen by the City of Brighton Arts and Culture Commission, originated in 2006. It consists of 35 sculptures, twelve permanent and twenty-three temporary. The permanent pieces were either bought by or donated to the city. The temporary pieces, whose duration in Brighton depends on individual contracts with the BACC, are for sale. Prices and details are available at http://www.downtownbrighton.com/1/brighton/art_walk.asp.