Masayuki Nagase’s sculpture along Little Sugar Creek Greenway evokes an unseen element of nature.
by Michael J. Solender | photographs by Justin Driscoll
Aquifer, a 9-foot-tall vertical sculpture holding court along a prominent section of Charlotte’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway, is meant to evoke the presence of water that’s not always visible in nature.
Four natural granite boulders on a cement plaza are carved with relief patterns of aquifers (permeable rock that contains or transmits ground water), bedrock and waves of the earth’s crust. The circular assemblage of the four giant rocks is underlit for a cooling nighttime glow.
Kyoto, Japan-born stone carver Masayuki Nagase created and installed the piece in 2010 between South Kings Drive and Baldwin Avenue. The heavily trafficked node of the trail sees scores of joggers, cyclists and walkers daily.
The sculpture was commissioned by Charlotte’s Arts & Science Council. Nagase, a prolific public artist with works in California, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Pennsylvania, views the process of creating public art as “a channel for reclaiming connection and communication for communities,” according to his website.
Aquifer is part of a series Nagase created for this section of the greenway, based on themes of air, Earth and water. Nearby, his Mosaic of Nature incorporates smooth stones and medallions representing the local flora and fauna encircling a fountain. Stream is a grouping of natural boulders fashioned into sculptural seats featuring various wave patterns. The informal stools offer a place for rest, relaxation and contemplation for greenway visitors. SP
