Light Dodger Project

Light Dodger Scupture

Light Dodger Project – The Story

The Bainbridge Companies of Bethesda wanted to honor the history of the site and hired Artist Circle Fine Art consultants to find a sculptor who could design something modern, abstract, but still using the automotive theme. Tj Aitken had done many auto themed sculptures and once worked modeling clay cars around the world. Tj presented many alternatives after studying the Dodge line and history for the former Reed Brothers Dodge site.

A large concrete sculpture was chosen titled “Light Dodger” which melds the design of two classic lamp and fender designs from the Dodge line into one three dimensional work of art. Aficionados will recognize the 1939 Dodge car and the 1957 Dodge pickup in the sculpture which is being constructed in concrete.

Tj worked on numerous kinds of designs that had to do with car dealerships, cars, and Dodge in general. Bainbridge was very adamant about exploring the engine theme the Dodge Brothers were so well known for, so Tj did a lot of work along those lines. Bainbridge really liked the Light Dodger piece and told him they had to have it. And those Hemi Piston Street Lamps, they were just too cool, so they had to have those as well.

The developers were really sold on Tj’s management skills out of industrial design and knew that he could deal with a project of this scale. So he got the job and off he went to planning and scale models. Along with the Light Dodger, a set of Hemi Piston Street Lamps will grace the curving walkway. These functional  lamps are based on the famous Dodge Hemi piston. They will be flanked by head gasket graphics along the walkway that winds along the building promenade towards the train station.

The Story of “Light Dodger” narrated by Tj Aitken – Published on May 30, 2015

About Tj Aitken

Tj Aitken is an Installation artist and established Industrial Design Consultant. He creates public sculptures and has had commissions and exhibitions in many cities. Tj grew up near Detroit, worked assembly, die models, show prototypes, and then did a sculpture BFA in ‘77. In the 80’s his Colorado studio cast museum replicas and his work. ‘87 back in Michigan, he managed 3D auto design and became a Design Director, while sculpting art privately. Living in Europe in the 90’s and lecturing at the University of Hertfordshire School of Art and Design he began developing the ideas for Art Savvy. He worked in Milan, Cologne, Munich, and Coventry. These years allowed him to study the art masters in Paris, Amsterdam, Florence and Rome and gave him a new perspective on Americans and their relation to art. His work on aesthetics has been validated in studies published by the University of Michigan in 2004. He taught thousands how to understand beauty and craftsmanship in industry at companies like Johnson Controls, General Motors, Avery Dennison, Newell Rubbermaid, and Tata of India. He holds design and process patents and his materials have been translated into 5 languages. ~Sculpture by Tj

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