Whimsical and nostalgic, prismatic and quixotic and absolutely over-the-top, Playtime Jubilee was a colorful whirlwind of children’s toys magically conjured into the form of a holiday tree by Karl Unnasch.

 

Evoking awed finger-pointing and wistful reminiscence in young and old alike, this holiday centerpiece in the Fountain Plaza of Downtown Silver Spring was ushered in to the Season with a Tree Lighting Celebration on November 16, 2013 amidst hundreds of spectators, glittering streamers and joyous holiday music.

 

In the sunshine, Playtime Jubilee was a fun and eclectic burst of lovably gaudy color and bold form. But at night, it became a glowing mass of rich hues as backlighting illuminated the piece from within, transforming the cyclonic mass of plastic toy panels into a stunningly kaleidoscopic array reminiscent of stained glass.

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Special thanks go out to:

 

- The Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

- Downtown Silver Spring

- Peterson Companies

- Strosniders Hardware

- Laurie Yankowski

- Michele Cohen

- Will McGowan & Megan Wyble

- Luís Alvarado and Crew

- Jarad Christianson

- Tristan Donaldson

- Nicole Huss

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Articles & Press:

 

Toy Christmas Tree Keeps on Giving, Faiza Elmasry, Voice of America — International-Broadcast News, Dec. 20, 2013

 

Town’s Christmas tree of toys will be donated to needy, Marisa Kabas, Today.com, Dec. 3, 2013

 

Downtown Silver Spring Christmas Tree Made of Toys That Will Be Donated to Needy Children, CBS DC, Nov. 21, 2013

 

Silver Spring Christmas Tree at the root of holiday controversy, WTOP 103.5 FM, Nov. 21, 2013

 

Silver Spring non-traditional tree made up of toys to donate to children in the community, Aline Barros, Maryland Community News Gazette, Dec. 4, 2013

 

Silver Spring unveils unusual Christmas tree, Peter Rouleau, The Sentinel Newspapers, Nov. 27, 2013

 

Silver Spring Hosts Ceremony, Adam Loakin, The Sentinel Newspapers, Nov. 21, 2013

 

Silver Spring’s tree of toys to be donated to charity, Whitney Wild, WJLA, Nov. 21, 2013

 

Local artist spreads joy with Playtime Jubilee, Barb Jeffers, Fillmore County Journal, Dec. 6, 2013

 

Answer Man:  Chatfield artist gets national attention, Rochester Post-Bulletin, Dec. 6, 2013

 

Silver Spring Tree Makes the News, a blog article by Author Yvonne Brown, Dec. 22, 2013

 

ABC News Reports: Interview prior to the unveiling (Nov. 16, 2013); Report on the finished installation (Nov. 21, 2013) and Report on the dismantling and donation (Jan. 4, 2014)

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Interview of Karl Unnasch about Playtime Jubilee      

by Dr. Michele Cohen

for the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

               (audio file)

Description of Playtime Jubilee      

by Dr. Michele Cohen

for the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

               (audio file)

Photo credit:  Downtown Silver Spring

Photo credit:  Downtown Silver Spring

NBC’s Today Show featured Playtime Jubilee (minute 06:12):

Dec. 3, 2013

Press Releases:

 

Artist’s Press Release

(December 2013)

 

Downtown Silver Spring’s Press Release

(Sep. 17, 2013)

The “Making-Of” Playtime Jubilee:

A YouTube Video by Downtown Silver Spring

Toy Christmas Tree Keeps on Giving,

by Faiza Elmasry             Dec. 20, 2013

    

Winner of

TWO ICSC

U.S. MAXI Silver Awards

 

 

 

Playtime

Jubilee

Karl Unnasch — Public Art, Stained Glass and Sculpture

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HOME   |   Public Art & Sculpture   |   Stained Glass   |   About the Artist   |   Project Index   |   Gallery   |   Summer Apprenticeships   |   Upcoming Events   |   Sitemap   |   Contact

created by Karl Unnasch

for the 2013 Holiday Season

on the Fountain Plaza in

Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland

 

Nov 2013—Jan 2014

To view other works by Karl Unnasch, visit the Public Art page.

Or, go directly to the Project Index. 

 

Web design courtesy of SQVIBL

 

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*LIKING*

Pilot Mound Design.

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Near-Mint Condition

 

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A Selection of Other Works:

 

Ruminant (the Grand Masticator)

 

 

Burnt Matchstick

 

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Playtime in Indy

 

Bloodroot

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Commissioned by Downtown Silver Spring for its 2nd annual Re-Imagining the Holidays, this toy-themed Holiday Tree — with a framework around 35 feet high and 16 feet in diameter at its base — was thickly adorned with new and gently used outdoor-friendly toys and youth sporting goods.  The installation was carried out in such a way as to preserve the integrity of the playthings to the greatest extent possible.

 

In keeping with the spirit of Holiday magic, these items were then donated to A Wider Circle for distribution to less-fortunate children in the area following the de-installation in January 2014.

 

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