Dale Street Bridge
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The Artists:
G.E. Patterson Hawona Sullivan Janzen Mica Anders |
After being closed for nine months, the Dale Street bridge has been reopened. G.E. Patterson, Hawona Sullivan Janzen, and Mica Anders were commissioned to make the bridge more than just a functional walkway and bridge — it is a work of art that reflects and showcases the Rondo community.
The artists spent six months asking people in the community what they wanted to see on the bridge. The overwhelming response was, “We want people to know that we’re here,” and “We want people to know the story.”
The bridge has Dale Street etched into the concrete, creating a sense of permanence and a sense of place. “I am Rondo” and “We are Rondo” are written on the bridge in 12 languages, ranging from Dakota to Hebrew to Hmong to Oromo. 16-foot tall metal tree silhouettes frame the bridge. As you walk along it, you can dance along to a lindy hop leaf pattern or read Janzen’s poetry — backwards or forwards:
The artists spent six months asking people in the community what they wanted to see on the bridge. The overwhelming response was, “We want people to know that we’re here,” and “We want people to know the story.”
The bridge has Dale Street etched into the concrete, creating a sense of permanence and a sense of place. “I am Rondo” and “We are Rondo” are written on the bridge in 12 languages, ranging from Dakota to Hebrew to Hmong to Oromo. 16-foot tall metal tree silhouettes frame the bridge. As you walk along it, you can dance along to a lindy hop leaf pattern or read Janzen’s poetry — backwards or forwards:
We were here And then you came And then them And then them And then them again Then we And you And them Become us Now we are all Rondo |
Rondo All are we Now us become them And you and we Then again them Then again them Then and Them then and Came you then And here were we Oaks were we Acorns were we before Rondo are we now |