Randal Thurston
Yerxa Road Underpass
The Yerxa Road Underpass in North Cambridge provides pedestrian
passage under the Fitchburg commuter rail line and links the
two neighborhoods on either side of the tracks. Artist Randal
Thurston has created a striking design for the double entrance
to the tunnel and the 120-foot ramp that will slope gently
into and out of the tunnel.
These preparatory drawings and cut-outs show some of the
ideas the artist has explored. The design incorporates his
characteristic silhouettes - of tree branches and roots, birds
in flight, vines, and butterflies - and plays with perceptions
of descending and ascending, positive and negative space,
and abstraction and realism. The materials used will be powder-coated
steel and concrete. The post and lintel form over the two
entrances will be framed with artwork as well. The artist
has written, "I want the primary experience of seeing
the tunnel and slowly approaching it to be one of wonder and
curiosity.
View "before and after" photos of the Yerxa Road Underpass reconstruction.
Press photos: click "Download large version" on slideshow.
For more information on the Yerxa Road Underpass Project, visit www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/et/infra/yerxa/yerxa.html.
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