KANSAS CITY, MO.- As a part of its continuing efforts to help revitalize and beautify downtown Kansas City, on Oct. 18, City Center Square (www.citycentersquare.com) unveiled an installation art exhibit in one of its 12th Street display windows by local artist Kati Toivanen.
The work of art was inspired by a requirement of one of City Center Square's tenants, the US Post Office, to design their retail display window. The Post Office and City Center Square worked with the Charlotte Street Organization and the Urban Culture Project to create a call for artists' proposals and from the responses selected Ms. Toivanen's proposal, "Commemorating the Everyday, Today."
Phillip Gesue, director of acquisitions and development for Time Equities Inc., the company that owns City Center Square, saw the Urban Culture Project as a chance for residents and visitors of the downtown area to feel a connection to art and each other. "Using public art to contribute to urban buildings creates an inviting and unique atmosphere for tenants and visitors in our office building and downtown Kansas City," Gesue said, "Kati's installation is an interesting display that reminds us how communication has changed with the growth of technology."
Toivanen, winner of the Urban Culture Project contest, is also the recipient of the 2001 Charlotte Street Foundation Visual Artist Award and UMKC assistant professor. She describes her work as an installation exhibit inspired by postal-stamps representing the intimacy of delivered mail. "Physically sending sentiments by mail is an increasingly rare choice, and therefore it becomes a cherished and special occasion," Toivanen said. Additionally, "The objects of my inspiration were sentimental objects in my home: my son's marbles and bows from gifts we've received. I am relieved and excited that the work is over and the exhibit is now displayed for people to see," Toivanen said.
City Center Square is an office retail building locally managed by Grubb & Ellis | The Winbury Group. Tenants range from the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association to the Kansas City Business Journal. Office space is available and can be customized to accommodate tenants' needs. Prime location, parking availability and facility upgrades make City Center Square an optimal choice for businesses that want to be part of the new entertainment district. For more information, visit www.citycentersquare.com.
