Meditation on fractals desired for latest Batavia bridge sculpture

The next piece of bridge art for Batavia may ask viewers to contemplate how some random events - including the development of snowflakes, coastlines and leaves - appear to have some type of order to them, though that order cannot be predicted.

Batavia aldermen Tuesday night unofficially picked "Fractal Limits" by sculptor Bruce White to represent the theme of science. They told the city staff to start working on a contract with the artist.

The council had previously authorized paying up to $30,000 for the sculpture, the third of four.

The sculpture would be made of stainless steel. It would be pierced with fractal-like shapes, and LED lights would shine through the holes, according to a city memo.

Aldermen also authorized advertising for submissions for the fourth sculpture, on the theme of art.

When the Donovan Bridge on Wilson Street was built in 2007 and 2008, the city council decided it should include pedestals for sculptures.

"Nature: Sounds of Harmony" was installed in 2008, and "A Look Back" in 2013. They represented nature and history.

Two decorated ceramic bulldogs, from a fundraising campaign for Batavia schools, have occupied the remaining spots, and will be moved elsewhere, likely near the Riverwalk or the Batavia Government Center, according to Mayor Jeff Schielke.

The sculpture will be paid for out of money in a tax-increment financing fund. That fund collects property taxes on some downtown properties, to pay for projects intended to preserve and increase the value of properties in the downtown.

The city had intended to install them all by 2012, but slowed the process down when the recession hit.

"We don't want to rush it, but it would certainly be nice to see it done. We made a commitment to people when we made the bridge," said Alderman Dave Brown, one of two current aldermen who was on the council at the time the bridge was built.

For this round, 11 artists submitted 24 concepts. The public was invited to submit comments, and the group was whittled to 13 finalists.