Members of the RiverHill Gateway Neighborhood Association, Mayor Madeline Rogero, members of City Council and members of the Public Arts Committee will hold a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 13 to reveal the City's newest piece of public art at 200 E. Hill Ave.  (near the intersection with Hall of Fame Drive/Volunteer Landing Lane).

The RiverHill Gateway Neighborhood Association is hosting a party – with light refreshments and music by the “Dirty Dougs” – to celebrate the installation of a one-of-a-kind 8-by14-foot sculpture by artist Derek White.

The multi-dimensional metal sculpture – entitled “ki-net-ik – depicts the power of kinetics in still life. Valued at almost $20,000 and financed by neighborhood residents, “ki-net-ik” is designed to exhibit perpetual motion. It accomplishes this through the progression of day-to-night ambient light, weather and seasonal changes, vehicular and pedestrian perspective shifts, and environmental motion mirroring.

The sculpture includes a steel abstract screen depicting water as a backdrop, with nine silhouettes – a fisherman, children playing, a couple in a canoe, runners, a blue heron and a sun/moon orb.

The neighborhood association is donating the sculpture to the City.

“The location for this sculpture is strategic,” said Downtown Coordinator Rick Emmett. “It’s a gateway to the community, and it’s also as a gateway into downtown for motorists and pedestrians coming from the east. This dramatic sculpture also will serve as a landmark for visitors wishing to access the waterfront and the businesses along Volunteer Landing Lane.”

Public art contributed by neighborhood organizations beautifies the city – a benefit that all Knoxvillians will enjoy, said Liza Zenni, chair of the Public Arts Committee. But iconic public art also strengthens the sense of identity for the neighborhoods that create and donate the art.

“The ‘ki-net-ik’ sculpture will enhance the pride and unity of the RiverHill community,” Zenni says. “The addition of such a dynamic and interactive sculpture will be a catalyst for residents, businesses and visitors to appreciate the power of art as a way of connecting with each other and creating a unique sense of place.”

In the near future, stakeholders plan to add picnic tables and a neighborhood sign on the sculpture installation site to designate it as a community focal point and gathering place.

Parking for Thursday’s ribbon-cutting is available at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, 700 Hall of Fame Drive.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the ribbon-cutting should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at [email protected] or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact the City Law Department at 865-215-2050.