Save the Love
Donation protected
The biggest Love filled thank you to everyone who has helped make this piece a reality from the first conceptual moments to our continued rebuild. We could never have done this alone.
Save the Love
“Reflecting on Love” was originally created as a gift to the city, in hopes of spreading the messages of empathy, compassion, and kindness. As we face new and persisting challenges Love will be the answer to our most difficult questions. After some years of continually sharing that message with the community the weather has taken its toll on the art piece. Continuing to share the message of Love on the Willamette River will only be possible by creating a permanent installation. With the support of those inspired in Portland and around the globe we can make a lasting public piece with a message for all. Please share and follow along as we . All donations bring us one step closer to a permanent piece and a lasting message. Thank you for your support!
A little of myself and how this piece came to be
My name is Roman Sorensen. I am an artist, builder, and designer born and raised in New Richmond, Wisconsin. September of 2017 brought me to Green Anchors in St Johns, after the Oregon Eclipse Festival and 5 years of work and travel around the globe; seeking roots and community. Living in St Johns I began carving wood furniture as well as thinking of creative ideas for the future, feeling inspired by the people and unique places around me. Most obvious and majestic is the iconic St Johns Bridge towering above Green Anchors and Cathedral Park below. Watching cars steadily stream back and forth across the bridge, I imagined the combination of an art piece on the pier with the captive audience of passengers on the bridge. Then the thought of “Love” standing tall and bright seemed to classically jump into my mind. After continually hearing the stories of hatred and anger on the news I felt compelled to influence the people of my community and do what I could, where I was. “Reflecting on Love” was first brought to life February 1st 2017 and has had many unique issues as it shared the message of Love throughout the last year. Each letter has broken off and fallen into the water at least once. The bottom of the “L” was the first culprit, falling off during a storm; but was luckily found just upriver by the old steam tug, “Captain Bob”, then quickly reattached. Some observant locals may remember a few days missing the “o” as it was rebuilt by the fantastic Ivan Mclean while I was away working. Recently the “e” and “L” have both required fixing on a few separate occasions…. Simply put, Love is demanding!
Love Rebuilt Standing Strong
Your support means we will be able to complete our $25,000 goal and completely rebuild the installation. The “love sign”, as it is casually called, is currently made of a very thin plywood material that is not tough enough to handle our rainy winter weather here in Portland. The plywood is delaminating in countless places and the supports are breaking more with every winter storm. The primer that has given it more longevity and a bright shining surface is looking dull and the lights are less than radiant. Reaching our goal means we will be able to fabricate and paint the steel structural frame which supports the four letters. We'll then laser cut the stainless steel lettering and create support brackets which will all be powder coated for weather protection and to create a radiant surface. We will also create a separate electrical circuit and housing to power and protect the brand new dedicated color changing spotlights. These lights will create a brilliant glow as the default setting with potential to cast a beautiful array of colors for holidays and events. Our goal also provides electricity for three years and funding for the film crew, promotional items, and media team who have worked so hard to spread the word and create this campaign. Thank you for your donations that make all this possible.
Fulfilling the Biggest Dream
From the beginning, I imagined the piece as a platform for a 4K projection system capable of precise video mapping. This would allow the installation to transform into a canvas for endless textures, and images further sharing the message of Love every evening. Meaningful images can have a powerfully positive effect on hearts and minds. Projecting a suitable continuous image on to the installation effectively turns “Love” into the lenses through which the observer looks. Images like canyons and other landscapes would be an ideal way to share the love of nature. Together the projection mapping system and spotlights could be linked to a website or app that would allow interactivity for those viewing the sign. Via the web, visitors could either custom select a color or choose from a selection of color options to project onto the surface; a fun experience to share with friends coming to visit from afar or on a night out with that special someone. Although interactive and enjoyable this experience could have more depth if further tied to the community. Now imagine that each color projected represented a different local charity here in St Johns and around Portland. Send $5.00 to the associated charity via a link on our website and the piece changes to blue for 30 minutes. The color Blue correlating with one of the many charities dedicated to keeping the Willamette River clean and healthy. Then, a short while later the next person comes along and would like to see the piece turn green (a yet unseen color), and sends $5.00 to a charity focused on maintaining and mapping the trails at Forest Park. Perhaps red represents a local blood bank; and so on for all the colors further continuing the message of Love. Simplifying the process is possible by setting no limits and creating no color options but rather allowing each donor choose from a list of local charities and then choose the color they desire on a color spectrum; much less confusing and constraining overall. Conceptually all of these options are creating an interactive donation hub that allows participants to connect with the place they’re enjoying, as well as share the love within the community. Creating this internet donation portal and providing the community with this interactive experience is the Big Dream and the campaign’s stretch goal. It will only be possible with the gracious generosity of the community in Portland and around the country, ultimately needing $34,000 total in donations. For now the first goal, Save the Love, then we can dream. Thank you for your support.
The First Patrons
“Reflecting on Love” was first created thanks to only a handful of locals. Special thanks to; Metro Paint for donating the durable recycled latex primer that has lasted so long, and to a local couple remodeling homes together: Arbor and Company, who donated the plywood from their garage tear down. Fez of Alchemy Arts Collective; a good friend and mentor who is lending the tube framework to support it all and to the folks at Green Anchors who felt compelled to say yes and let Love adorn the pier. They are all direct patrons of “Love”. This piece began as my passion project and gift to the city, and would never have been possible without the help of the community. Now is your chance to become a personal patron of the piece through a small donation. Every little bit is helpful and very appreciated.
Donor Rewards
As a thank you to those awesome community members who donate we have created two wonderful sticker designs! Stickers will be given as a reward to anyone who donates $5.00.... or more! They will be distributed via mail or in person whenever possible. If you've donated already and would like a sticker please reach out. For all donors, please email your name, address, and sticker preference and I'll send them out weekly (my email address is lower on the page)....and now.... Sticker Options!.. A: Classic Oval.....or ..... B: Boat Launch?
Stay tuned for more info regarding donor gifts! We're preparing some super cool screen print shirts.....
Your support will help rebuild the installation and make sure Love is standing strong and shining on for years to come. Thank You!
Please share your thoughts, memories, and photos regarding the piece via email or on Facebook and give whatever amount you feel comfortable donating to help share the message. We appreciate any and all support! If the “Love Sign” has brightened your day and you’d like to join the effort to “Save the Love” reach out and join the team, there is always room. Also, thank you for reading all the way to the end; good job.
Roman Sorensen
[email redacted]
FB @savethelovepdx
Instagram @reflectingonlove
Twitter @savethelovepdx
Save the Love
“Reflecting on Love” was originally created as a gift to the city, in hopes of spreading the messages of empathy, compassion, and kindness. As we face new and persisting challenges Love will be the answer to our most difficult questions. After some years of continually sharing that message with the community the weather has taken its toll on the art piece. Continuing to share the message of Love on the Willamette River will only be possible by creating a permanent installation. With the support of those inspired in Portland and around the globe we can make a lasting public piece with a message for all. Please share and follow along as we . All donations bring us one step closer to a permanent piece and a lasting message. Thank you for your support!
A little of myself and how this piece came to be
My name is Roman Sorensen. I am an artist, builder, and designer born and raised in New Richmond, Wisconsin. September of 2017 brought me to Green Anchors in St Johns, after the Oregon Eclipse Festival and 5 years of work and travel around the globe; seeking roots and community. Living in St Johns I began carving wood furniture as well as thinking of creative ideas for the future, feeling inspired by the people and unique places around me. Most obvious and majestic is the iconic St Johns Bridge towering above Green Anchors and Cathedral Park below. Watching cars steadily stream back and forth across the bridge, I imagined the combination of an art piece on the pier with the captive audience of passengers on the bridge. Then the thought of “Love” standing tall and bright seemed to classically jump into my mind. After continually hearing the stories of hatred and anger on the news I felt compelled to influence the people of my community and do what I could, where I was. “Reflecting on Love” was first brought to life February 1st 2017 and has had many unique issues as it shared the message of Love throughout the last year. Each letter has broken off and fallen into the water at least once. The bottom of the “L” was the first culprit, falling off during a storm; but was luckily found just upriver by the old steam tug, “Captain Bob”, then quickly reattached. Some observant locals may remember a few days missing the “o” as it was rebuilt by the fantastic Ivan Mclean while I was away working. Recently the “e” and “L” have both required fixing on a few separate occasions…. Simply put, Love is demanding!
Love Rebuilt Standing Strong
Your support means we will be able to complete our $25,000 goal and completely rebuild the installation. The “love sign”, as it is casually called, is currently made of a very thin plywood material that is not tough enough to handle our rainy winter weather here in Portland. The plywood is delaminating in countless places and the supports are breaking more with every winter storm. The primer that has given it more longevity and a bright shining surface is looking dull and the lights are less than radiant. Reaching our goal means we will be able to fabricate and paint the steel structural frame which supports the four letters. We'll then laser cut the stainless steel lettering and create support brackets which will all be powder coated for weather protection and to create a radiant surface. We will also create a separate electrical circuit and housing to power and protect the brand new dedicated color changing spotlights. These lights will create a brilliant glow as the default setting with potential to cast a beautiful array of colors for holidays and events. Our goal also provides electricity for three years and funding for the film crew, promotional items, and media team who have worked so hard to spread the word and create this campaign. Thank you for your donations that make all this possible.
Fulfilling the Biggest Dream
From the beginning, I imagined the piece as a platform for a 4K projection system capable of precise video mapping. This would allow the installation to transform into a canvas for endless textures, and images further sharing the message of Love every evening. Meaningful images can have a powerfully positive effect on hearts and minds. Projecting a suitable continuous image on to the installation effectively turns “Love” into the lenses through which the observer looks. Images like canyons and other landscapes would be an ideal way to share the love of nature. Together the projection mapping system and spotlights could be linked to a website or app that would allow interactivity for those viewing the sign. Via the web, visitors could either custom select a color or choose from a selection of color options to project onto the surface; a fun experience to share with friends coming to visit from afar or on a night out with that special someone. Although interactive and enjoyable this experience could have more depth if further tied to the community. Now imagine that each color projected represented a different local charity here in St Johns and around Portland. Send $5.00 to the associated charity via a link on our website and the piece changes to blue for 30 minutes. The color Blue correlating with one of the many charities dedicated to keeping the Willamette River clean and healthy. Then, a short while later the next person comes along and would like to see the piece turn green (a yet unseen color), and sends $5.00 to a charity focused on maintaining and mapping the trails at Forest Park. Perhaps red represents a local blood bank; and so on for all the colors further continuing the message of Love. Simplifying the process is possible by setting no limits and creating no color options but rather allowing each donor choose from a list of local charities and then choose the color they desire on a color spectrum; much less confusing and constraining overall. Conceptually all of these options are creating an interactive donation hub that allows participants to connect with the place they’re enjoying, as well as share the love within the community. Creating this internet donation portal and providing the community with this interactive experience is the Big Dream and the campaign’s stretch goal. It will only be possible with the gracious generosity of the community in Portland and around the country, ultimately needing $34,000 total in donations. For now the first goal, Save the Love, then we can dream. Thank you for your support.
The First Patrons
“Reflecting on Love” was first created thanks to only a handful of locals. Special thanks to; Metro Paint for donating the durable recycled latex primer that has lasted so long, and to a local couple remodeling homes together: Arbor and Company, who donated the plywood from their garage tear down. Fez of Alchemy Arts Collective; a good friend and mentor who is lending the tube framework to support it all and to the folks at Green Anchors who felt compelled to say yes and let Love adorn the pier. They are all direct patrons of “Love”. This piece began as my passion project and gift to the city, and would never have been possible without the help of the community. Now is your chance to become a personal patron of the piece through a small donation. Every little bit is helpful and very appreciated.
Donor Rewards
As a thank you to those awesome community members who donate we have created two wonderful sticker designs! Stickers will be given as a reward to anyone who donates $5.00.... or more! They will be distributed via mail or in person whenever possible. If you've donated already and would like a sticker please reach out. For all donors, please email your name, address, and sticker preference and I'll send them out weekly (my email address is lower on the page)....and now.... Sticker Options!.. A: Classic Oval.....or ..... B: Boat Launch?
Stay tuned for more info regarding donor gifts! We're preparing some super cool screen print shirts.....
Your support will help rebuild the installation and make sure Love is standing strong and shining on for years to come. Thank You!
Please share your thoughts, memories, and photos regarding the piece via email or on Facebook and give whatever amount you feel comfortable donating to help share the message. We appreciate any and all support! If the “Love Sign” has brightened your day and you’d like to join the effort to “Save the Love” reach out and join the team, there is always room. Also, thank you for reading all the way to the end; good job.
Roman Sorensen
[email redacted]
FB @savethelovepdx
Instagram @reflectingonlove
Twitter @savethelovepdx
Organizer
Roman Sorensen
Organizer
Portland, OR