Public Art Field Guide: Helix

Last week, light was shed on the strange hunk of steel known as "." This week, in Patch's Public Art Field Guide, the focus shifts only slightly, moving West, back up to the 1800 block of Wilson Blvd. Patrons of Cafe Assorti, too intent on sampling the tasty spread of Eastern European pastries, have likely walked obliviously by "Helix," a jet black, doughnut shaped bronze statue that sits amidst the Cafe's outdoor patio.

The culpable artist is a local sculptor. John Dreyfuss inherited a sincere love of urban design from his father, trained architect Edmond Dreyfuss. John pursued this love at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. Now, Mr. Dreyfuss devotes his time and energy to better integrating public art, particularly statue, into the urban landscape. His work can be found scattered throughout the Metropolitan area.

He shares part of his artistic creed on his website: "I think that sculpture in general is moving into a golden age where the traditional dialogue between sculpture and the built environment will be more integrated and more influential than ever before."

While Mr. Drefuss's work and style are keenly modern and abstract, it seems to draw on artistic aspects of the past. There is something pure, clearly delineated from history, about his work. His keen interest in the simple subtleties of line and form shine through in this particular statue. The ring-like statue is shaped liked it's called, a helix, or a corkscrew, or a spiral.

It's the magic of art, that such a simple shape, treated with the nimble hands of an artist, can inspire such wonderment in the onlooker. Cafe Assorti visitor Catherine Butler says she notices the statue every time she comes for coffee and a treat. "In the summertime, when it's beautiful, I enjoy just sitting and staring at it," she says.

Mr. Dreyfuss used the assitance of local firm A.R.T. Research Enterprises for the production of "Helix." A.R.T. specializes specifically in the construction of public art, offering casting services in steel, bronze, silver, and lead. They even have gold-leafing capabilities, for those really fancy statues.

Don't worry no-tax-hike-Libertarians, like last week's statue, this was a gift of a local real estate developer. Paid for by donor Holliday Corporation, who developed 1800 Wilson, the statue is really not a gift, but a required public amenity--an appeasement. It was unveiled along with the completion of the building in 2006.

That's all the public art for now; come back next week for another educational installment of Public Art Field Guide.