Matthew Salenger of coLAB studio acted as the art-manager for the entire Culdesac Tempe development.
We located artists, collected examples of their work, and presented the artists’ work to the clients. We helped them select and contract the final 6 artists (plus a sculpture by coLAB studio), including writing the artist contract (reviewed by Culdesac’s lawyers.)
We held monthly group meetings with all the artists online during 2020, to build a bond between everyone and to provide a space where artists could support and encourage each other.
We reviewed all designs before sending to the client, and helped facilitate payments to the artists. We also helped trouble-shoot potential and real project issues.
The artwork is spectacular, enhancing the project’s visibility in the community, and showcasing Culdesac’s uniqueness. A wide variety of artists participated with themes that were unique to each artist- but also often touching on each other’s work in subtle ways.
This sculptural piece included three sets of enlarged Charo buttons that are traditionally a part of pants worn by Mariachi. These are installed at the north-west corner of a very prominent building in the development.
Each button has an embossed full Aztec calendar.