Design Activist – Providing Provocative Solutions for Art in Public Space
Daniel Rothenfeld presents a career of work spanning decades, disciplines, and mediums. His recent incorporation of public art and urban design into his quest goes beyond the purely visual, creating balance with reality and understanding in the world around us.
“My art is evocative. It is informed by the convergence of time and place revealing meanings that have impact. The results are transformative developing conceptual relationships in site-specific experience we share.”
Today standardized structures have stripped the spirit and nature from our midst. Likewise Art often functions as a decoration like wallpaper or superficial amusement in the environment.
Analysis drives Rothenfeld’s artistic rigor. Turning blank walls into landmarks, his restoration is celebrated in the symbolic murals he creates.
PEACE Mural – Recently completed in 2020, located on West 97th Street at Walford Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
Creating destination with timeless theme, PEACE Mural unifies residential and industrial division in this West Boulevard neighborhood.
The “PEACE Mural” project was commissioned by Suzy Hecht Remer, CEO of Midwest Box Company and owner of Walford Industrial Park, for her warehouse wall that faces Mercedes Park on West 97th Street and Walford Ave. The vision for “PEACE” was evolved to elevate and anchor the area.
The word “PEACE” is depicted in 10ft. tall primary colored letters. Flying away from each letter a spectrum of birds appear rising together, like people who carry the spirit of “PEACE” and goodwill into the community.
Complimenting the “PEACE Mural”, three large concrete planters that separate the street from parking area are painted with appealing figures at play. The result creates a rewarding experience expressing values and relations shared by all.
Special thanks to Jordan Satterfield for digital rendering, Michael Folczynski and Justin Holden for assistance of this work.
Standard Mural – Recently completed in 2019, located at East 185th Street and was commissioned by The Standard Restaurant, Cleveland, Ohio.
Look at art like solving a math problem. Mural Commission contributed to the success of the Standard Restaurant dining patio where an exposed garage wall needed integration. My solution introduced a color sequence, repeating 6 colors three times, producing an interesting rhythmic pattern on the exposed siding surface. The background mural transformed the garage structure into a pleasing unified visual experience.
GO Mural – Completed in 2011, located at 16300 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, Ohio and was commissioned by the Collinwood Recreation Center
Past Commissions:
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~Current Activator, Water Wall: North East Ohio Sewer District headquarters ~ 2003
Concept: Based on Gravity, waterfall feature depicts the distribution of water passing through the organization for purification and returned to the community.
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~21st Century Donor Wall, Cleveland Clinic Foundation ~ 2000
Concept: 33 slowly rotating columns display 4000 donor and new construction recognition in cabinet surround. Rotation motion animating a natural pace of heart / breath rhythm of visitors to the Cleveland Clinic lobby.
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~Century Rock, University of Akron ~1991
Alignment sensation activator. 6 ton glacial bolder, cut in half, opened enough to pass through, brushing the polished surfaces for physical as well as mental engagement. We are like this, symmetrically divided in half & must “fill” the division, by activating our nervous system, filling the void in our awareness -takes “sensation” Being present in the moment of time.
Realized Community Proposals:
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East 4th Street Arcade Lighting Proposal – Incorporated into Street Redevelopment
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Williamson Building Entrance Adaptive Re-Use Proposal Incorporated into the WRHS Library – Cleveland Public Art
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RTA Station Hopkins Airport Landmark Feature Incorporated into Redevelopment Plan – Cleveland Public Art
There is so much more about Dan Rothenfeld: click on the icon above for his CV or visit rothenfeld.com
Project Detail Pages: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.