New artist’s bench on Noyes springs from reclaimed car parts

Another artist-made bench has appeared in the second floor public art gallery at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.

This one is a two-seater and is altogether strange, funny and ingenious. It is made from old car parts and even older wood, by artist-contractor Nate Rosalie, of Evanston.

A QR code mounted on the wall above the bench leads to a blog that explains in narrative detail the creation of this new seating addition.

The artist owned an old 1963 Corvair coupe from which he saved the suspension he used. The seat is made of 100 year-old lumber. Shock absorbers support the bench armrests.

Alex Theis, Program Coordinator for the Evanston Parks & Recreation Department, initiated the “Please Be Seated” program last winter. The donated artist’s benches become part of the Noyes permanent collection. Theis is thinking of putting a small addition on Rosalie’s bench armrests – of course, he will need the artist’s permission.

There are size and strength specifications for the new benches. All are on the application form, available here.