Arts
He’s a ‘SOL’ Man:
Downtown Sculptor Merges Science With Art
by Mae Lee Sun
t’s nothing like you’ve ever seen and it’s merged with that glowing galactic orb you’ve become accustomed to living with 350 days a year here in Tucson. It’s not something that can be found in galleries, yet if you stroll down the colorful city streets of Barrio Santa Rosa, just north of 22nd, between Convent and Meyer, you’ll see marvelously whimsical examples of it. ‘It’, as mentioned, is the now legendary work of imaginative local sculptor simply known as ‘Solman’.
Who is this guy really and why is everyone talking? Residents in the Santa Rosa neighborhood describe the buzz as nothing less than captivating and Solman as worthy of widespread recognition for the richness he’s brought to both their community and lives. It seems as though this single-named icon has taken art and science to a new level in his creation of brilliantly-sculpted doorways, elaborate driveway gates, unusual plant trellises, 2-tiered kinetic birdfeeders and fancy security lighting that have functional applications while being powered by the grid-free energy of the Sun.
“On my block alone, I know of at least 4 homes that have his art,” says hydrologist Laurel Lacher, a resident of Barrio Santa Rosa and a client of Solman’s. Lacher and her husband commissioned Solman to construct a two door, copper patina gate accented with solar lighting designed in the shape of gigantic, three dimensional, multi-colored flowers.
When asked how she came to discover, then choose, Solman she said that he was not only a neighbor, but his work was original and ‘pretty’ and that by reputation and example, he put in a lot more effort than anyone would ever expect in terms of artistic endeavor. What impressed her most, however, was that his sparks of ingenuity had a lasting value that stretched far beyond her own front yard.
“People in this neighborhood really value art and use it to express their individuality through their choices in housing design that utilizes rammed earth and adobe construction, in the array of paint colors you see and in the external art they have integrated into the landscape. Solman takes their ideas and then makes it happen by himself- the evolution of the design, the electronics and the installation. He’s really an amazing guy.”
Sounds far out for a hippie from Woodstock who made an early living designing furniture out of ancient, fallen walnut trees that found their way into the penthouses of well-to-do New Yorkers and celebrities including Robert DiNiro, Henry Winkler and Deborah Harry.
With a Cheshire cat grin, tie-dyed t-shirt and faded jeans, “Tucsonified” by black cowboy boots, Solman shared the nutshell version of his journey from wood artist to successful corporate executive and back to his artistic roots of sculpting in an alternative medium in a way that brought forth all of his loves.
“After learning Japanese wood-joining techniques and building amazing furniture, mantels and staircases for designers who would fly in from the Village, I took off for the west coast because I needed a break. I learned to do metal sculpture and got involved with solar in the 80’s. After landing in Tucson and working my way up from the role of a photovoltaic technician to literally becoming a leading expert in the field, I formed my own company, obtaining numerous design patents and powered bus shelters around the city with solar lighting. We had found our niche and were in the right place at the right time.”
Impressed with this three-time winner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Innovation Award, a large solar manufacturer bought out Solman’s company and hired him on as a vice president of new business development. The rat race became a drag and all but stifled his right-brain creativity. Ready to make things move again, he quit the corporate scene to develop the stuff he loved.
“What I’m doing on South Meyer is educational and allows me to further my goal, which is creating art that brings happiness and introduces people to the magic power of the sun. Most people don’t understand the efficiency of using alternative technology like solar to deal with the energy crisis we’re continuing to face. Politics is mainly why it doesn’t happen and why even TEP is fighting the 1% of alternative energy they are mandated to use by the U.S. Government’s Corporate Energy Commission. I can spin you on your seat with 3 watts of solar energy. It’s truly amazing what you can do.”
Apparently, it’s not only the residents of South Meyer that are amazed by Solman. He was commissioned to contribute a piece in the Tucson Pima Arts Council’s Luminarias del Pueblo project, and his proposed sculpture of a 9-foot-tall kachina with flying wings and a solar lit head (made of sheets of steel and copper patina) was sponsored by the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out Solman’s Luminarias project at www.luminariasdelpueblo.org/images/preQuals/pages/bosmenySolman.htm.
He also solarized the Tree of Life sculpture on the UA campus that was designed by Santa Theresa Tile works. The beat goes on.
Fellow metal artist and native Tucsonan Charles Tearney who has crafted original work for Canyon Ranch Resort and other high-end clients, says he appreciates the philosophical approach of incorporating energy conservation and reclaimed material into what Solman does.
“What he does sure doesn’t detract from the city and clearly adds to the Santa Rosa neighborhood where a diversity of art forms exist. His solar and kinetic sculptures are really cool and he definitely has a clientele that likes it,” says Tearney.
And like it they do. Especially TUSD teachers Mitch and Margie Sternberg who live on Meyer and have 7 pieces, and counting, of Solman’s work. Says Mitch, “We have trellises, fences and light posts that he embellished with floating rocks, crescent moons and a spinning globe that really fit the space on our property and we wish we had the space to add more. What luck to know him before he gets too famous and expensive!”
Solman can be contacted at metalman56@peoplepc.com or 271-0398.
