New Public Art Transforms Alameda Point
Published on August 18, 2022
Over the past week, two much-anticipated public artworks were installed, transforming Alameda Point for decades to come.
The first piece, Beken, by artist DeWitt Godfrey, is a 32-foot corten steel sculpture located at the new Alameda Point Waterfront Park. The sculpture is composed of cellular forms, which takes its cues from lighthouses, channel buoys, and frontier guard towers. The artist’s goal was to create a form that is massive in scale, but visually light and airy, providing a destination from afar and a sense of place from within.
"I want to thank the team at Trammell Crow Residential and srmErnst, specifically Kristal Railsback, Joanna Julian, and Stephanie Hill, and for the City of Alameda, Amanda Gehrke and Walker Toma, for sticking with Beken through the many pandemic delays and disruptions,” said Beken artist DeWitt Godfrey. “While this has taken longer than anticipated, I believe it has been worth the wait. We are thrilled with Beken and the breathtaking site it occupies; it is an honor to be part of this important step in the reimaging of the Alameda Point waterfront."
Beken by DeWitt Godfrey. Image courtesy of Maurice Ramirez.
The second piece, Alameda Afore, designed and fabricated by Rodrigo Nava, anchors the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue and Main Street. Made of Cor-Ten weathering steel, the sculpture pays homage to Alameda's naval history. The triptych of median sculptures is strongly contemporary, celebrating the renewed purpose of Site A.
“This work was made possible through excellent collaborations between Trammell Crow Residential, the City of Alameda, Russ Nygaard PE, and Stacey Lindell of the Lindell Artist Agency, and my wife, Amanda Nava and family. A special thanks to Svendsen's Marine and Michael Tosse who graciously provided storage and on-site support throughout the installation,” said Alameda Afore artist Rodrigo Nava. “Everyone involved worked patiently and with good humor to navigate this complex installation during difficult pandemic conditions. We are very proud of the work and being a part of the Alameda community.”
Alameda Afore by Rodrigo Nava. Image courtesy of Maurice Ramirez.
“It is so exciting to see public artworks like Beken and Alameda Afore transforming the landscape of Alameda Point,” said Public Art Commission Chairperson Adam Gillitt. “Our city is fortunate to welcome such grand place-making sculptures from artists Dewitt Godfrey and Rodrigo Nava. We are especially grateful to Stephanie Hill of Alameda Point Partners who has been instrumental in ensuring these two magnificent artworks came to fruition.”
“Beken and Alameda Afore fulfill Alameda Point Partner’s public art obligation for the Site A development,” said Community Development Director Lisa Maxwell. “Looking forward, we anticipate additional development at Alameda Point which, along with these two beautiful sculptures, will continue to add vibrancy and texture to this part of the island and the City of Alameda as a whole.”
To learn more about the city’s Public Art Program, please visit www.alamedaca.gov/PublicArt.