DALLAS (March 27, 2017) – Victory Park is putting the “V” in Victory with the unveiling of the first work in its new public art program: an eight-foot hand in the “V-sign” gesture. The steel sculpture, titled Heavy Handed (Symbol), is the latest work in California-based artist Nathan Mabry’s Heavy Handed series.
The work was commissioned as part of the district transformation efforts focused on evolving Victory Park into a more authentic, walkable and soulful urban neighborhood. Owners Estein USA and retail partner Trademark Property Co. selected the work for its historic symbolism as a gesture of solidarity, victory, and peace used by figures like Winston Churchill, and more recently, even Siri.
“The V-sign is an unmistakable gesture with a common understanding that spans generations and an important, sustainable message that we are proud to spread. Its meaning has evolved throughout history, just as Victory Park is doing, making it the perfect piece to launch our public art program,” said Terry Montesi, CEO, Trademark Property Co. “Embracing public art and the impact it can have on a space is a major initiative in our efforts to create a more vibrant, soulful Victory Park. By bringing creative, relevant public art to the district, we hope to enhance the emotional connection with the community and make Victory Park one of Dallas’ most interesting destinations.”
The sculpture, now perched at the intersection of Victory Park Lane and Olive Street, was completed in four months and is the 10th Heavy Handed work. Mabry’s Heavy Handed series launched in 2012 and includes similar corten steel hand sculptures, each of which is a different, often universally recognized, gesture, ranging from playful, like “fingers crossed,” to contemplative, like hands in a prayer-like position.
“The Heavy Handed works pay homage to minimalist and industrial sculptors like Tony Smith or Richard Serra,” said Mabry. “However, upon further inspection, these sculptures reveal themselves as symbolic hand gestures. This particular work references the very site it sits on, Victory Park.”
Victory Park’s Heavy Handed sculpture is Mabry’s first public installation in Dallas. He was also the subject of a solo exhibition at the Nasher Sculpture Center in 2013.
Heavy Handed is the first piece in a series of public art installations planned for Victory Park. A large sculpture by Las Vegas artist Tim Bavington is set to be installed in spring 2017 near the W Dallas – Victory Hotel, followed by additional works by local and national artists to be announced in the coming months.
Visitors to Victory Park will already see some of the results of district transformation efforts, which include 85,000 square feet of new retail space, reworked streetscapes, sidewalks and storefronts, district identity markers, wayfinding elements, public space amenities, two-way traffic on Houston Street and Victory Avenue, and a dedicated bike lane extending the Katy Trail. Additional parking and valet options, as well as lighting and technology upgrades will also roll out in 2017.
As part of the redevelopment, Victory is also undergoing a full remerchandising to include Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas – Victory Park, a collection of best-in-class local food and beverage operators, and select local and national retailers.
Earlier this month, Victory Park announced that three of Dallas’ top food and beverage operators all will open concepts at the mixed-used district later this year: This & That Concepts, the team behind High Fives, So & So’s and The Standard Pour, will open a restaurant and bar; Elias Pope’s company, 8020 Hospitality, which is responsible for HG Sply. Co., is teaming up with Brooke Humphries, the mind behind Barcadia, Beauty Bar, Mudsmith, It’ll Do Club, and Pints & Quarts, to open a 24,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment concept in Victory Plaza; and Brooke Humphries will also open a bar and tavern in an out-of-the-box location inside the parking garage on Victory Avenue.
Other 2017 openings include Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas – Victory Park and three unique concepts by Dallas entrepreneur Tristan Simon’s new venture, Rebees, including a modern Texas saloon, a retail emporium showcasing local artists and makers, and a creative workspace with a seasonally-minded, day-focused café. In addition, The 23, a new 285-unit mixed-use apartment community by LMC, will begin preleasing late this spring with move-ins beginning in August.
About Victory Park
Victory Park is a 75-acre mixed-use development in downtown Dallas surrounding the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars. Victory Park features more than 220,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space; 621,000 square feet of Class-A office space; the 252-room W Dallas – Victory Hotel; more than 3,300 residential units; and the Perot Museum of Nature & Science. Victory Station provides access to DART Light Rail and the Trinity Railway Express. The popular 3.5-mile jogging and bicycle path, The Katy Trail, is also directly accessible. Victory Park is a property of UST XVI Victory Park, a German real estate investment fund managed by affiliates of Estein USA based in Orlando, Florida. UST XVI became an equity owner of Victory Park in 2005 and the sole owner of the majority of the Victory Park buildings in 2009. For more information about Victory Park visit victorypark.com or follow Victory Park on Twitter @VPDallas, facebook.com/dallasvictorypark and Instagram @DallasVictoryPark.
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