Matthew Burke, Kansas University assistant professor of art, was recently awarded $5,000 by the Kansas City Municipal Arts Commission’s Avenue of the Arts to develop his public art project titled “Da Birdies, Migration” for installation in the Crossroads District of downtown Kansas City, Mo.

The international call began with 11 semi-finalists and was narrowed down to six finalists. Burke was chosen as a finalist and will begin installation of his public art project in April. The piece will be installed along the east wall of Bartle Hall, 20 feet from the ground. It is a horizontal work of 25 wood hoops that range from 7 feet to 1 foot in diameter, and among the hoops are three clear plastic bird forms that will rotate in the wind while remaining in position.

“The piece was appropriate for this site because the forms are simple and therefore are open to interpretation,” said Burke. “The movement of the work suggests travel or migration; this work is really about the passage of time as told through the materials used.”

“Da Birdies, Migration” will remain up through September of this year.