“Point 7″ or “The Castle”
"Point 7" or "The Castle"
“Point 7” is the official name of “The Castle” in Wilson Park, Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was designed and built by Frank Williams in 1979, after Williams was given the contract as one of several public art displays commissioned by the Arkansas Arts Council. Since that time, The Castle (as most of the locals know it) is a traditional site of graduation and wedding photos.
The existing concrete structure over the spring was reminiscent of small play fort. It was used by the local kids for just that purpose and I thought what better solution to this challenge then a fantasy play castle sculpture garden; in this case to be a little more interesting then the existing situation.
In concept my idea originally for the grotto design to the west of here, and then in the subsequent Point 7 designs was to replicate an architectural relic of the sort you might see in Europe or Asia.
The city was forced to give Williams some land in Wilson Park but they made it clear they didn’t want to have to maintain a work of art, beyond mowing the lawn around it (insert your favorite Redneck art joke here). Williams had other obstacles in his path:
I had no idea how difficult it would be to motivate much less train 5 inexperienced 16 to 21 year old kids; who just needed a job! All were from varying backgrounds, unemployed and none processed labor-intensive construction work experience; which is initially what we had to do.
With few exceptions neither did they have much concern, about what I wanted to do artistically. Most of it at that point was in my head anyway! That was how I approached this project. It’s how I approached my art back then and to some extent even now!
Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Castle in Fayetteville wasn’t fully appreciated in its day. But now, just try to take either one away–neither city would be the same!
Themocracy
I would loved to have had something like that to play around when I was a kid! How cool is that?