"El Dorado Architects is currently teaming with Janet on a piece that has only one moving part, albeit a very large one. “Prairie Logic”, will be located on a landscaped roof at 12th and Walnut, in downtown Kansas City. Locals may recognize this location as existing on the same block as Cosentino’s Market and its scantily clad cousin–The Jones pool.
Prairie Logic was commissioned by the City of Kansas City, as part of their 1% for Art program. It consists of a custom-fabricated perforated cor-ten boxcar, glacially revolving around a 120 foot diameter railroad track situated in a rooftop-field of prairie grass. The boxcar is motorized, puttering along about 5 inches every night. Over the course of a year, it completes its circular journey."
On one hand it's a cool idea, I like the glowing box car etc.
On the other hand, it make that whole part of the roof garden less useable. Prairie grass is not soft and comfortable like green grass. No one is going to want to lounge around in it. Also having a giant box car and train tracks may be a little intimidating. Will just have to see how this looks when built.
Maybe they think this will make maintenance easier not having to cut the grass. It may also prove to keep people from hanging out up there.
