Paying homage to Hayward and its heritage, this grotto
monument weaves different passages of the city's past,
as well as creating an elegant public space across from
the City Hall. The meditative reflection pool, rough-hewn
columns and smooth granite sculpture are a complementary
haiku to the mural's physical surroundings.
The sculpture, with its subtle harp-like shape, provides
an elegant and lyrical center piece. Visually producing
a circular energy flow, this piece seems to resonate
a timeless melody like the distant song of a woodland
harp.
On the hewn pillars, a bas-relief story can be read
- left to right, background to foreground. The back
columns depict a coastal Ohlone village, the arrival
of the Spanish Conquistadors and the settling of the
great land grant ranchos.
The left front column represents Hayward's more recent
history including Hayward's Hotel - the cities' namesake
- and the era of Blues artists and Juke Joints of the
Russell City distict. Finally on the right front pillar
is present-day Hayward. On the column face is a an ethnically
varied group - embracing the Earth in unison - as a
tribute to Haward's harmony and cultural diversity.
The overall feeling of Internal Melody is like
a courtyard of nostalgic music; a tapestry woven from
the fabric of Hayward's past.
