Jacksonville is a singing city. Each week thousands of singers gather informally and formally to sing in their religious institutions, community choruses, college and school choirs, barbershop quartets, local bars for karaoke and with our very own Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and Voices of Jacksonville. This sing sculpture is a statement about an activity that is at the heart of humanity: “Singing”. The sculpture is inspired by the work of Robert Indiana and Jacksonville brothers James Weldon And John Rosamond Johnson’s hymn “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”. The piece was designed in 2018 by local graphic designer Carolyn Audije while she was serving on the staff of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and built by Havic Studios (Jenny K. Hager and D. Lance Vickery).
Why the color red above the color blue?
Red is the color of heart, it has historically been associated with sacrifice, danger, and courage. Modern surveys in Europe and the United States show red is also the color most commonly associated with heat, activity, passion, anger, love, and joy. In China, India, and many other Asian countries it is the color symbolizing happiness and good fortune. Red is the signature color of the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus.
The color blue represents both the sky and the bodies of water in Northeast Florida. The color blue is associated with open spaces, freedom, intuition, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity. Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, and intelligence. In Africa, blue is the color of harmony and love, symbolising the importance of peace and togetherness. It is often used in combination with other colors to create a rich tapestry of energy that has deep symbolism behind it. Blue fabrics are widely used in the Southern countries of Africa such as the Leteisi and Shweshwe.
The sculpture was originally installed across the street from First United Methodist Church, 225 E. Duval Street.
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