A striking new public artwork has transformed Knoxville's Cradle of Country Music Park, where the New York-based architectural studio MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY has unveiled Pier 865, a serpent-like walkable sculpture that serves as both art installation and functional public infrastructure. The innovative structure rises from a concrete pier base and extends into an expansive aluminum canopy, creating a unique gathering space that blends seamlessly with the natural landscape.
The sculpture's most distinctive feature is its construction from hundreds of pre-folded aluminum strips, each carefully painted in a gradient of seven different tones that flow across the structure's surface. The color palette moves through soft greens, deep-sea blues, and butter yellow, creating a canopy surface that behaves like living skin and changes appearance as visitors move through and around the installation. This sophisticated coloring technique gives the artwork a dynamic quality that responds to light and viewing angles throughout the day.
Pier 865's serpentine form stretches upward into the treetops, offering visitors elevated views of the surrounding foliage, nearby neighborhoods, and distant mountain ranges. From ground level, the structure evokes the image of plant life sprouting organically from concrete, while aerial views reveal a reptilian silhouette that appears to coil gracefully through the park landscape. The sculpture's form creates a compelling visual dialogue between natural and constructed elements.
The installation's functional design includes strategically placed cantilevered wings that provide multiple seating areas, gathering spaces, and quiet spots for contemplation. These thoughtfully designed elements transform the artwork from a passive viewing experience into an active civic hangout space that encourages community interaction and moves harmoniously with the existing landscape features.
Architecturally, the New York-based MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY team has created a structure that effectively lifts visitors from the city level into nature, incorporating steps, ledges, and resting spots that feel like integral parts of the natural terrain. The sculpture is supported by five slender legs and branches into three distinct wings, each serving different community functions. One wing loops forward in a dramatic gesture, while another rises to form a shaded platform that doubles as a small stage for community events and performances.
The third wing takes a more subtle approach, tapering low and quiet to offer a peaceful refuge among the trees for those seeking solitude or contemplation. This varied design ensures that Pier 865 can accommodate different types of visitors and activities, from large community gatherings to individual moments of reflection.
The Cradle of Country Music Park has served as both a tribute to Knoxville's rich country music heritage and an important gathering space for local residents since 1986. Pier 865 extends this cultural legacy by reimagining how public art can function as urban infrastructure rather than merely serving as something to observe from a distance. The installation demonstrates how contemporary public art can enhance community spaces while honoring their historical significance and continuing their role as vital civic gathering places.
