Project Overview

Rhapsody | Heritage Landing

The fourteen-foot stainless steel figures express joy, ecstasy, elation, triumph, and euphoria. The figures express these emotions without reference to race, religion, or politics. They are titled, as a group: Rhapsody! The word rhapsody is defined as an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm. The figures are recognizable and understandable to all ages. They are sure to become a local landmark and an expression of community solidarity.

The stainless steel sculptures will require no maintenance and are virtually indestructible. They are constructed of 6" x 6" stainless steel tubes, a material commonly used in highway bridge construction. Nothing short of heavy machinery can damage them.

In 2020, Subroy Dance Studio was invited to create a dance video in response to the sculptures and paid homage to Memphis' rich hip hop culture.

about the Artist

Douglas Kornfeld

Douglas Kornfeld, born in Denver, CO, believes that Public Art is a message in a bottle. In one hundred years the works we commission today will be what informs our children about who we were and what we wanted as our legacy. Great Public Art is timeless. It speaks to us now but will still be relevant to those who experience it in the future.

He states that the purpose of Public Art is NOT to decorate a building or site—that is the role of an architect or designer. Design is a creative, functional solution to a practical, definitive problem. Public Art is not practical and rarely functional. Public Art must inspire and transport us beyond our immediate needs. An artwork must challenge us with questions not soothe us with simple answers. Public art must be more than mere decorative embellishment, it must have poetry.

Kornfeld’s art focuses on the signs and symbols our society uses to communicate. Symbols are a reflection of our cultural values, our attitudes, and our beliefs. Early icons portrayed the intangible, demonstrated power, and inspired awe. His work seeks to return cultural symbols to their rightful place as touchstones of wonder and power, as focal points that inspire civic discourse and explore our collective yearning for creative achievement, individuality, and community.