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This artwork is dedicated to the Spirit of the United States Constitution during the celebration of its Bicentennial. The project consists of a series of five slab sculptures, composed of New Mexico Apache Golden Vein marble and glass block mirrored inlays, set in a semi-circle on an island in the middle of a lagoon in Cortez Park. The glass inlays serve to catch and reflect the southwestern sun as it arcs across the sky.

Otto Rigan’s Cortez Arc brings peace and contemplation to a public space. Placed at the center of Cortez Park, the sculpture consists of five marble slabs, each measuring eight feet in height. The marble is inlaid with laminated glass, catching sunlight while drawing attention to the Arizona sky.

The piece, installed on an island within a lagoon, is accessible by a footbridge. This isolated presentation allows for visitors to experience a treasured moment within the park while engaging in the large space. The artist explained this by stating that he hopes the sculpture will attract visitors “into the heart of the park without threatening the human scale and intimacy of the island.”

About the Artist
Otto Rigan recently moved from Arizona to New Mexico. His experience in the Southwest has had a direct influence on his work, as he continues to create pieces that utilize light as a component. Rigan has exhibited his work nationally, taken part in several public art projects, and created many privately commissioned works.