Unique Milford Sculpture Hopes To Answer 'Why Am I Here?'

Milford CT

14 October, 2021

7:17 PM

Description

MILFORD, CT — Who couldn't use a place for peaceful, quiet reflection during these turbulent times? Erich J. Davis, who is owner of E. J. Davis Aesthetics, LLC, was thinking the same thing recently, and he is attempting to solve that problem for Milford residents. "My piece is called "Why Am I Here?" and it is basically a bench that is made in the shape of a giant question mark "?" that lights up at night with the street lamps," Davis said on his Kickstarter fundraising page. The project was awarded as part of the Milford Arts Council "Meet Me at the Bench" proposal in 2020. The bench will be a permanent installation right next to the Fowler Memorial Building and Milford Public Library that will be visible from New Haven Avenue. Davis is in the midst of a fundraising effort to ensure the public sculpture becomes reality. He has currently raised $5,411 and has set a goal of $18,000. (You can make a contribution for the project here). He has another week to make his goal. "The concept of the piece is to offer a place for people to sit and reflect on what's important to them," Davis said. "Since my proposal was awarded a year and a half ago a lot has happened! Now more than ever, I feel it's appropriate for folks to take a little time to check-in with themselves and think about what really matters—especially in these unprecedented times (of) turmoil and uncertainty." The guidelines for the project were adopted by the Milford Arts Council in 2019 and the goal was to design and produce a bench for the downtown section to help enhance the community and offer creative engagement in a public setting that was both artistic and functional, Davis said on his fundraising page. "The bench is intended to become a local destination and landmark in downtown Milford for community members and visitors to pause for a moment to reflect on their path and their purpose," Davis said. This sculpture will be made entirely from aluminum so it will never rust. This bench will be illuminated with low voltage LED lights by tying into the city's existing electrical lighting system that operates the lampposts along the newly upgraded pathway next to the Milford Public Library down to the river walk. With the help of Milford Public Works Department, a concrete slab will be poured to secure the bench in place, Davis said on his fundraising page. The goal is to install the sculpture in November. He said due to the pandemic, costs for the project have skyrocketed, and he needs residents help with fundraising. Additional enhancements are planned too. >>>Learn more about Davis' Milford project here and how to help him raise funds for the sculpture.