Artist Talk & “Wing Dam” Sculpture Design Exchange with Pete Driessen

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Welcome artist in residence Pete Driessen to Red Wing, provide design feedback on his Wing Dam sculpture project, and learn more about his artistic practice in the North Studios Courtyard at Tower View on Thursday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. Space is limited to help ensure physical distancing. Advance registration is encouraged, but not required. Rain site is the Tower View Barn. Water and light beverages will be provided.

In partnership with the Anderson Center, Pete is researching, developing, and creating an abstract site-specific Wing Dam sculpture during his four-week residency. Reflecting post-modern industrial river culture, Pete’s piece will be installed in the Anderson Center Sculpture Garden.

A ‘wing dam’ is a term used by Army Engineers to define the rock structures placed in the river to direct flowage and navigation. Pete aims to utilize a combination of local materials, such as found rock, used wood, and river & rail scrap, to create a series of 3 – 5 sleek chevron-shaped wedges that contrast with the flat land and evoke the contours and spirit of the Mississippi River.

Pete is interested in connecting with area residents, artists, designers, historians, engineers, planners, contractors, and Anderson Center supporters to help inform and shape the design and construction of his sculpture.

Pete Driessen is a Minneapolis based multi-practice visual artist, sculptor and cultural producer who creates conceptual paintings, found object installations, interdisciplinary sculpture projects, and participatory public art that explore the visceral connections of social, spatial and material dynamics. Driessen received his MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, VT, and BA from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul. He has been awarded many regional grants and awards, including a 2019 Forecast Public Art Mid Career Project grant, a 2017 The Soap Factory/ReThinking Public Space in Minnesota project grant for his Trestle Support Systems at the Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd, MN, a 2015 Jerome/FSP Fellowship at Franconia Sculpture Park for his Franconia Boat Tower sculpture, a 2014 MRAC Next Step grant for his Silverwood Park project, and three MSAB Artist Initiative grants (2019, 2017, 2013).

Pete’s exhibition record includes national and regional solo and group exhibitions including the recent 2018 Landau Roof with Collaborative Seamstress at Casket Arts, Minneapolis, MN, 2015 Floor Plan at Gallery 71, Edina, MN, 2014 MN Biennial at MMAA/Project Space, St. Paul, and 60th Arrowhead Biennial at Duluth Art Institute. He currently directs and curates a hybridic, experimental garage-based gallery known as TuckUnder Projects that specializes in emerging and midcareer artists focusing on conceptual visual arts practice, curatorial projects, and institutional critique. His innovative TuckUnder Projects platform-based exhibition site has collaboratively produced over 75 critical projects with nearly 100 different artists in just five years.

Pete Driessen Pivotal Turntable Tactics from Pete Driessen Visual Artist on Vimeo.

Trestle Support Systems by Pete Driessen from FlyoverFilms on Vimeo.