The Ziz, Donald Lipski, 2009
SERVICES PROVIDED: Design coordination, Materials research, Budget management, Engineering coordination and oversight, Fabricator bid process, Fabrication oversight, Lighting design development, Shipping, Installation services, Scheduling, Project close-out.
In 2009 artist Donald Lipski recreated 20th-century artist Constantin Brancusi's Bird in Space for the new Goodyear Ball Park in Arizona where the Cleveland Guardians hold their spring training. The Ziz stands as tall as the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate (60' 6"), and has stitches on it, like a baseball. Constructed out of fiberglass, concrete, and steel, it resides in a pool near the ballpark's entrance, anchoring an extensive mixed-use development.
After many conversations with City staff and residents, as well as the project architect and landscape architect, Lipski researched Goodyear’s strong connection to the aviation industry. This connection inspired the vertical form which contrasts and compliments the horizontal layout of the campus. The Ziz gets its name from Hebrew mythology, referring to a giant water bird that rules over and protects smaller birds.
Select text and images courtesy of Donald Lipski.
