{"id":55669,"date":"2024-07-02T11:51:32","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T15:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/?p=55669"},"modified":"2025-04-04T08:49:56","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T12:49:56","slug":"professor-creates-artwork-for-new-duke-energy-headquarters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/2024\/07\/02\/professor-creates-artwork-for-new-duke-energy-headquarters\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor Creates Artwork for New Duke Energy Headquarters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thomas Schmidt\u2019s 75-foot \u201cConnected\u201d echoes Charlotte\u2019s electrical grid.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employing student and alumni assistants, art professor Thomas Schmidt has created and installed a magnificent large-scale work in the Duke Energy Plaza, the company\u2019s new headquarters at 525 South Tryon Street in uptown Charlotte. The 75-foot wall installation, comprised of some 175 porcelain panels and 50 mirrors, is named \u201cConnected\u201d and is based on a map of Charlotte\u2019s electrical grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was interested in finding a way to visualize our interconnectedness in a community, particularly the kind of shared resources, the interconnection that we experience in our day-to-day lives,\u201d Schmidt said.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Building on years of creative research, Schmidt\u2019s process involved a fluid exchange between traditional \u201canalog\u201d craft techniques and new digital technologies, as he moved back and forth between 2D and 3D and physical and virtual products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He began by digitally compiling city maps, which he then printed, marked, and manually folded along electrical grid lines \u2013 rendering the two-dimensional paper map into a subtle three-dimensional landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a hand-held device, Schmidt 3D scanned the map to digitally capture the paper peaks and valleys and then, on his computer, divided the digital topography into a grid of 16 panels, each 12 by 12 inches.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Printed with a 3D printer, those 16 resin models were used to make plaster molds to cast porcelain tiles from liquid clay (slip), which were glazed and fired in a kiln.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Molds<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once completed, the nearly 200 porcelain tiles were then translated back into a digital format with 3D modeling software, allowing Schmidt to visualize patterns and decide on placements before physically installing the pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could virtually create the composition in the 3D modeling software,\u201d Schmidt explained, \u201cand play with the flow and movement of the linear elements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final work, which extends across three walls, includes 50 mirrored panels that \u201cserve as a disruptive mechanism to the porcelain surface, altering tile, reflecting the environment, lighting \u2013 even the people as they pass through the space,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Full<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rising senior art major Teriyana Wright worked for two months with Schmidt on \u201cConnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhenever Tom finished a 3D print of a panel, I would use that 3D print to create a plaster mold,\u201d Wright said. \u201cThe information from the plastic 3D mold would transfer to the plaster and then would be saved for the next step which was the slip pouring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After working on \u201cConnected,\u201d Wright said she went to the Penland School of Craft, where she \u201cwent in with tons of knowledge\u201d from Schmidt. \u201cSlip casting is one of my favorite techniques. I\u2019m going to take these skills with me forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wright, fellow student Lily Kuntz, and alumni Zainab Elrahal \u201922 and Robert Houseman \u201919 made up Schmidt\u2019s production and installation team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy working as a team, you can work on a large scale, and be more audacious, amplifying the impact,\u201d Schmidt said. He was particularly pleased to hire students and young alumni for such high-profile projects.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cEarly in my career after undergrad, I had the opportunity to assist established artists such as Ruth Duckworth and Wayne Higby,\u201d said Schmidt. \u201cWhen I look back, these experiences completely transformed my understanding of what is possible in the studio. I want to create opportunities for the next generation of emerging artists to see and experience what it\u2019s like to work on art outside of school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elrahal (pictured) assisted Schmidt throughout the year-long project, helping to cast, clean, glaze, and fire porcelain tiles and supporting Schmidt and Houseman during the installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome of the most important things I learned during this project was how to troubleshoot issues that arose through the process,\u201d she said. \u201cThinking quickly and adapting to the unpredictable nature of ceramics was very important during the whole time. I got to step into a role where I kept track of many moving parts and handled issues as they arose. I realized that project management feels like a very natural and exciting career path for me, and I am trying to pursue those positions moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cConnected\u201d is located in the Duke Energy Plaza\u2019s Executive Conference Center. The area includes a centralized large conference room, a large multipurpose auditorium room, an outdoor terrace, and other spaces that encourage \u201cconnection\u201d through in-person collaboration and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe take great pride in investing in local talent and are incredibly honored to showcase this meaningful artwork in our new headquarters,\u201d said Dwight Jacobs, senior vice president, supply chain, real estate and chief procurement officer for Duke Energy. \u201c\u2019Connected\u2019 not only enhances our workspace but serves as a visual reminder for our employees \u2013 that amidst rapid change and opportunities, we must remain connected to our customers and our communities, keeping them at the heart of all we do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n