Reaching for Heaven is a didactic art installation...
...that was first funded and created for the Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. It represents artist Joe Arnold's vision of the choices we make in life. A central tower asks the question: do we contract our lives inward, bound by self-created chains and protected by armor plating, or do we ascend, take risks, open up, reach for Heaven and strive to be our best selves?
Surrounding the central spire are five sculptures, each holding a globe. An angel, holding the world at her heart, welcomes the visitor and offers the Path of Choice. The first of the Path of Life sculptures is a Child who looks at a beautiful, magical earth with curiosity; the second sculpture is a Youth who stands on a mountaintop and holds the world in the palm of their hand and reaches to Heaven in joy; the third sculpture represents Middle Age - the person carries the weight of the world on their shoulders; the fourth sculpture represents Old Age - the person holds the world aloft in wonder and curiosity again.
Land Search and Funding
Currently the efforts to resurrect the Tower are centered on the search for an appropriate site. The Tower is 36 feet high and 12 feet in diameter at the base. The surrounding circular path with the sculptures is 48 feet in diameter. The sculptures range in height from 4 feet to 9 feet high.
The Tower was originally funded by Burning Man with an Honorarium grant. Thus, the core structure has been paid for. However, expenses will also be incurred in converting the central tower to be permanent. For example, the lotus petals which were cloth at Burning Man will need to be made of metal and powder coated for longevity. Expenses will be incurred for site work and a concrete pad for the base. The five sculptures will all be new art made of reinforced fiberglass cement.
The Tower at Burning Man
Orignally installed at Burning Man as The Tower of Transformation, the project was, in keeping with Burning Man's culture of participatory art, a fully interactive sculpture that could be climbed upon. Burners could ascend to a platform 24 feet above the ground to be in the heart of a lotus, symbolizing our ascent to a world of possibility and blossoming outward. The Tower was illuminated at night, however, the resurrected Tower's lighting is to be determined based on site conditions, neighbors, and night sky considerations. In its new incarnation, the Tower would not be climbable, however, the interior of the base will be covered in crystals and could be entered as a place of sanctuary.
The Tower of Transformation at Burning Man
Joe Arnold and Project Success:
Joe Arnold has a stellar track record of bringing large scale art ideas from concept to completion. He has received several grants from Burning Man to create large scale art installations. In addition to being a successful artist he has a certification as a Project Manger Professional and has successfully planned, designed, budgeted, managed and executed hundreds of construction projects up to $24,000,000. He is skilled in welding, metal work, wood working and heavy equipment operation.
Ressurection of the Tower as Reaching for Heaven is his Magnum Opus. While Burning Man opened many doors, it is by nature entirely ephemeral. A permanent installation of the re-envisioned sculpture will manifest Arnold's long term vision of sharing this work with a larger community in perpetuity.
His current work is displayed in his Sacred Art Garden in Estes Park, Colorado where two other former Burning Man sculptures are displayed. Learn more about Joe's work at https://shoutoutcolorado.com/meet-joe-arnold-artist/
