Trestle Workers 2017
Trestle Worker - Front Left View. Boiler Shop, Northern Pacific Railyard, Brainerd, MN. 2017. Rough Sawn Red Pine, Simpson Strong Ties & Hex Screws, Lag Screws, Eyelets, Steel Rebar, Wire, Colored Craft Sticks. Commissioned choreographed digital audio loop accompanied exhibition. Worker Base: Appx. 8 x 3 x 1.5 ft. Worker Formation: Appx. 8 x 60 x 35 ft. Width of track: 5 ft. Site: 40 x 100 x 80 feet.
As part of the public art project Trestle Support Systems, the installation Trestle Worker embodies thirty-five train car laborers aligned with the architecture of the former Northern Pacific site. The installation references images from the Crow Wing County Historical Society of the daily rail working ecosystem. The individual Worker sculptures collectively illuminate the past worker assembly line and the union of rail car workers laboring over the large train car production.
Freestanding within the Northern Pacific Boiler Shop, the Trestle Workers align architecturally with original side brick columns, overhead steal cross beams and interior railroad tracks. Viewers can walk amongst the Trestle Workers and under rebar connectors. An original 4-track/2-speaker digital sound composition by sound artist Michael Flora accompanied the exhibition. A Worker prep gallery welcomed viewers as an entry point to the Worker formation.
Created with 14,000 steel plates and hex screws, the Workers labor within a platoon-like grid based on the intersections of clay brick wall columns and expansive steel beam ceiling. The Workers carry 8-foot steel rebar rods reflective of 60-foot logs used for trestle spur building. Each wears a unique color-coded trestle logo uniform referencing collaborative teamwork, collective solidarity, and community bridge-building.
Pete Driessen credits The Soap Factory, MN State Arts Board, Northern Pacific Center, and others for their financial support of this site specific public art project.
Trestle Worker Links:
Michael Flora Trestle Worker Audio
Sheila Dickinson Essay/Trestle Support Systems Catalog