TEMPOart is thrilled to announce our 2024 commission, Dancing for Joy (By the Will of the People), by The Myth Makers, landing on Back Cove Trail in June 2024. On our blog, we will be sharing progress updates as these artists create this new piece just for Portland, ME, as well as background on how this piece came to be. You can learn about the history of the Back Cove Trail site here, and read on to hear from the artists what in spired them to create Dancing for Joy (By the Will of the People) for our community. We can’t wait to see you at the Community Opening on June 13 5-6pm!

Excerpts from The Myth Maker’s project proposal (the full proposal is available below):

“During our site visit to the Back Cove Trail and Park, we noticed several bird species lingering in the water and on the shores of the cove that border the inlet to Casco Bay such as Cattle Egret, Great Egret and Double-crested Cormorants. While doing further research, we took great delight in learning more about the festive display of feathers by the Great Egret in the mating dance.

We know many families begin their relationship with Maine by summering there, then they find themselves falling in love with Maine, and eventually moving there and calling it home. Our proposed sculpture will feature two monumental great egrets performing their distinctive mating dance on the shores of the Back Cove. This duet symbolizes the local bird life of the cove and the way people move in and out of and connect to this special place.

Great Egrets are flamboyant and vivid. Each spring they grow extravagant plumes and leap with abandon to attract and impress a mate. They are remarkable birds that develop adoring relationships, gently sharing all nesting and child care duties.

This work will be a meeting place, a place for children to play in and run through. A glittering silver white and nearly 20 feet tall, it will be a beacon, visible from many views along the Back Cove trail.

Dancing for Joy is designed for all ages. The doorways are a variety of sizes. Which entry suits you? Can you dance your best show off prance through the display of the Dancing Great Egrets?

This installation is dedicated to the freedom to marry who you love. These sculptures celebrate the will of the people to democratically transform society. In 2012 Maine became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote.

We will pre-build off site our two lightweight bamboo sculptures with natural materials, wire ties, repurposed and reused materials. Each sculpture is attached to a wood base made out of pressure treated lumber. Our methods are suitable for all seasons, strong and resilient in all types of weather and will stand up to public curiosity and interaction as designed. We will transport the two sculptures to the site and anchor them into the ground using a combination of earth anchors and gravel ballast that will fill the two wood bases. Once in the park we will augment the tall sculptures with wings that will be punctuated by arched doorways, creating an open but architecturally enclosing space that will invite playful interaction for all ages.”

You can read the full proposal from The Myth Makers below, along with their CV and previous project examples.