09-12-2019
Ladies of Liberty: Cameron Ringness
The Statue of Liberty Museum topping off ceremony
Ladies of Liberty is a series highlighting some of the people who worked to make the Statue of Liberty Museum a reality. An excerpt of the profile featuring Cameron Ringness, Project Designer for the Statue of Liberty Museum and one of the first members of the museum project team in 2012, follows. Read the full profile at ESI Design.
What was your first encounter with the Statue of Liberty?
In 2012, FXCollaborative was awarded the project to design the architecture for the new Statue of Liberty Museum. I had never been to the island before. ... I went on my first site visit in the fall of 2012 and I remember the yellow Linden trees and the patina of the Statue that seemed to glow on the grey day. I could feel the sacredness of that place. Standing on the island beneath Her, you feel at once removed—somewhere holy and separate—and connected to the world, past and present, through her meaning.
What was your role on the project? What did that mean for you day-to-day?
From the start I felt extremely lucky to be working on this project and I was one of the first two members of the team. I became project designer of the museum's architecture and was able to maintain this role from the early concept design phase through construction. My day varied by the phase of the project. ...
Early concept sketch of the Statue of Liberty Museum by Cameron Ringness
You just opened a new museum for the Statue of Liberty—how does that feel? What does that mean to you?
... To work on a public project is always a joy because you are able to create a space meant for all. Not only is the Statue of Liberty Museum a place for everyone, accessible to everyone and welcoming, it is in service of the symbol and beacon of inclusiveness and freedom. ... It will bring people closer and hopefully enrich the overall experience of celebrating and contemplating liberty. I am simply honored to have been able to add to this revered place.
What advice would you give to your younger self starting a career in design?
My advice is: Do not question who you are or that you are a woman in a field not yet made equal. Continue to be empowered by your unique perspective and experiences. Look to other women for mentorship and remain fearless that change will continue to come as long as we do not give up on our passions. Speak up for yourself. Don't forget that the Statue of Liberty is a woman after all!
If you were giving a tour of the new museum, what would be your top highlight?
The building is full of surprises. Even though the architecture appears to be about one large move—the folding landscape rising out of the park—as you move around and interact with the building, you can find a tapestry of unique experiences. I began with a simple sketch of large steps emerging from the ground, but over time, the building was sculpted and shaped so that each corner and step offers something different for the visitor. It is these glimpses, these individual encounters with the architecture and its relationship to the setting that make it more than a building and better reflect the diversity of the island's visitors.
Ladies of Liberty is a series organized by ESI Design, the firm that created the exhibits for the Statue of Liberty Museum. ESI Design is an experience design studio that seamlessly weaves the physical and digital worlds together to create immersive experiences.
What was your first encounter with the Statue of Liberty?
In 2012, FXCollaborative was awarded the project to design the architecture for the new Statue of Liberty Museum. I had never been to the island before. ... I went on my first site visit in the fall of 2012 and I remember the yellow Linden trees and the patina of the Statue that seemed to glow on the grey day. I could feel the sacredness of that place. Standing on the island beneath Her, you feel at once removed—somewhere holy and separate—and connected to the world, past and present, through her meaning.
What was your role on the project? What did that mean for you day-to-day?
From the start I felt extremely lucky to be working on this project and I was one of the first two members of the team. I became project designer of the museum's architecture and was able to maintain this role from the early concept design phase through construction. My day varied by the phase of the project. ...
Early concept sketch of the Statue of Liberty Museum by Cameron RingnessYou just opened a new museum for the Statue of Liberty—how does that feel? What does that mean to you?
... To work on a public project is always a joy because you are able to create a space meant for all. Not only is the Statue of Liberty Museum a place for everyone, accessible to everyone and welcoming, it is in service of the symbol and beacon of inclusiveness and freedom. ... It will bring people closer and hopefully enrich the overall experience of celebrating and contemplating liberty. I am simply honored to have been able to add to this revered place.
What advice would you give to your younger self starting a career in design?
My advice is: Do not question who you are or that you are a woman in a field not yet made equal. Continue to be empowered by your unique perspective and experiences. Look to other women for mentorship and remain fearless that change will continue to come as long as we do not give up on our passions. Speak up for yourself. Don't forget that the Statue of Liberty is a woman after all!
If you were giving a tour of the new museum, what would be your top highlight?
The building is full of surprises. Even though the architecture appears to be about one large move—the folding landscape rising out of the park—as you move around and interact with the building, you can find a tapestry of unique experiences. I began with a simple sketch of large steps emerging from the ground, but over time, the building was sculpted and shaped so that each corner and step offers something different for the visitor. It is these glimpses, these individual encounters with the architecture and its relationship to the setting that make it more than a building and better reflect the diversity of the island's visitors.
Ladies of Liberty is a series organized by ESI Design, the firm that created the exhibits for the Statue of Liberty Museum. ESI Design is an experience design studio that seamlessly weaves the physical and digital worlds together to create immersive experiences.
