Media Credit: Courtesy of Landwave.org

Media Credit: Courtesy of Landwave.org

3/25/08

Few people realize that the ground they walk on every day was once swampy, or worse, underwater. The South End and Back Bay are constructed from landfills that stretch from Newbury Street south past Copley Square and as far as Fenway Park.

And one South End group wants to recall the days when that land was water.

"Landwave" is the name of a mosaic art piece planned for the baseball field on the outskirts of Peters Park to commemorate the former neck of the Shawmut Peninsula. Bob Wells, the project's co-chair, hopes the project will become an important part of the neighborhood.

"We're not just recalling the peninsula that was there but the development of the land and water, and the waves of immigrants who came through the spot," said Wells. "Everybody came through here. Lexington and Concord was fought here, Washington's been here and we just wanted to recall this spot."

With community input, architect and artist Shauna Gillies-Smith devised a mosaic measuring 100 feet wide by 30 feet long, that resembles ocean waves that used to occupy the space. One side will be blue symbolizing water, the other will be green for the land. Lights will follow the curvature to showcase the art at night.

"It'll be an artistic addition to the neighborhood and an attractive way to remember the history of the neighborhood," Wells added.

The idea for Landwave began about eight years ago when Washington Gateway Main Street, a South End community group, came up with the idea to have a public art piece in the neighborhood to reflect the impact of local artists.

Money for the LandWave project is being raised with donations from organizations and individuals. On Feburary 12, a fundraising event at the Bernard Toale Gallery showed people more details about the project. Wells said there will be two similar events in the near future.

The group has to raise about $10,000 to reach the $500,000 goal needed to begin construction. A contractor has been selected but the project is still awaiting approval from the city's parks and recreation department.

Although LandWave will not cost the city any money, the city will own it. The residents need to raise money to have a maintenance fund to ensure the care and maintenance.

Wells said he isn't sure when construction will begin, but has said he hopes it will start by summer with its completion and dedication on September 20, the Saturday when the South End Open Studios will begin its fall cycle.

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