Riverfest getting ready to set sail with art installation
Against a cloudy backdrop Monday in downtown Wichita, several bright flags waved in the breeze near the Hyatt Regency Wichita, creating a panorama of color.
About 20 volunteers helped install “SunSails,” the temporary art installation for this year’s Riverfest. It was the brainchild of Rachel Hayes, the festival’s 2016 artist-in-residence, and is a collaboration between Harvester Arts and Wichita Festivals Inc.
Essentially, the installation consists of multiple tall poles with steel cables anchored to the ground. Attached to the cables are multiple little flags, or “flutters,” as Hayes calls them.
People are supposed to walk underneath the poles and view the flags from all different angles, Hayes said.
And selfies are encouraged.
“I would love to see how people see this and view the piece,” Hayes said Monday. “There’s not just one view of this. There’s a view coming around the corner, looking from the river, looking through several of these panels. I’m excited to see the photos of it and how it changes.”
She encouraged festivalgoers to take their pictures with the artwork and put the photos on Twitter, using the hashtag #SunSails.
The installation of the artwork was delayed for about two days because of the inclement weather last week, said Ann Keefer, vice president of program development at Wichita Festivals.
A stretch of sunny weather Saturday and Sunday allowed Riverfest crews to catch up on their setup work, she said.
“We prepare for this – we always know there’s going to be rain this time of the year,” Keefer said. “The likelihood is extremely high, so we just plan around it and give ourselves some additional time. We’re absolutely on track right now ... and we will be ready to go come Friday.”
Riverfest 2016 runs from Friday to June 11.
Buttons are required to attend. They are available at local QuikTrip and Dillons locations as well as at Wichita Festivals, 444 E. William, and at the Intrust Bank Arena box office, 500 E. Waterman.
Adult buttons are $10. Buttons for ages 6 to 12 are $3, and ages 5 and younger get in free.
Matt Riedl: 316-268-6660, @RiedlMatt
This story was originally published May 30, 2016 at 5:56 PM with the headline "Riverfest getting ready to set sail with art installation."