Q&A: Behind the Making of the Celebration Heart Sculpture

Bringing a large-scale interactive sculpture to life requires the perfect blend of artistry, engineering, and material innovation. Chris Duh + Creative embodies this balance, and the Celebration Heart sculpture is a prime example of their approach—an installation that merges color, light, sound, and community interaction into a single joyful experience. At the core of its success was the challenge of creating something visually striking yet structurally lightweight, durable, and precise. 

In this Q&A, we explore the creative vision behind the sculpture, the role Kerfkore’s Foamkore panels played in its construction, and how thoughtful collaboration and engineering transformed a concept into an uplifting, immersive work of art.

Q: What Does This Project Represent?

This heart sculpture was created as a joyful expression of gratitude. Built around a steel framework, it features layers of colorful, transparent acrylic that overlap to form new colors—much like how the generosity of many donors blends to create something brighter and more powerful than any individual contribution.

Visitors engage with the artwork by turning the Celebration Wheel. As they do, a ribbon of light travels around the heart. When the light completes its journey, music fills the room and rainbow lights dance across the space, inviting everyone nearby to celebrate. The sound bars and shifting colors symbolize energy, movement, and life—mirroring the hope donors bring to the community. Ultimately, this heart stands as a living thank-you, a beacon of shared love, and a reminder that every milestone deserves celebration.

Q: Why did you choose Kerfkore products, and how did you first discover them?

During the research phase, Kerfkore’s EPS Foamkore panels immediately stood out. Their unique combination of lightweight construction, rigidity, and stability—especially in the generous 5′ × 10′ format—made them the perfect choice for supporting multiple layers of acrylic without the drawbacks of heavier plywood or the cost of corrugated aluminum.

Kerfkore first came onto the radar while exploring high-performance lightweight substrates used in architectural fabrication. After comparing multiple alternatives, Foamkore clearly offered the best balance of strength, ease of fabrication, and cost-effectiveness for a sculptural installation at this scale.

Q: What was the process of working with Kerfkore panels?

The heart’s internal steel frame was intentionally designed around Kerfkore’s 5′ × 10′ panels to streamline fabrication and maximize material efficiency. The entire structure was engineered in two matching halves for easier transport and installation.

The steel frame itself was water-jet cut from 1⁄4″ plate steel to achieve precise curves and perfect symmetry. Each Kerfkore panel was CNC-cut to its exact profile so it could drop cleanly into the frame. Once installed, the panels not only supported the acrylic layers but also added surprising rigidity to the steel structure. Kerfkore’s consistency and compatibility with CNC machining ensured crisp edges, clean lines, and a refined, professional finish.

Q: How did Kerfkore’s Foamkore panels enhance the final installation?

Kerfkore streamlined nearly every stage of the project—from fabrication to installation. The lightweight yet durable panels made handling simple and allowed the team to work efficiently with a smaller crew. Their smooth surface and consistent thickness made it easy to bolt the panels securely to the steel frame.

Thanks to the use of Foamkore, each half of the heart weighed only about 200 pounds. This made mounting the sculpture significantly safer and easier. It attached cleanly to standard 3⁄4″ plywood blocking behind the drywall, requiring no special hardware or structural upgrades. Kerfkore was also easy to patch, sand, and paint, ensuring a flawless final appearance with minimal finishing time.

Q: What challenges did you face, and how did Foamkore help you overcome them?

The primary challenge was the sculpture’s large scale and the need for perfect precision when cutting its organic shape. With a limited number of panels available, accuracy was essential. Kerfkore’s predictable cutting behavior, uniform core, and stable structure allowed each piece to be CNC-cut with confidence. This reduced risk, eliminated guesswork, and ensured that every panel fit seamlessly into the steel frame.

Q: How did Kerfkore integrate with the other materials used in the sculpture?

Kerfkore paired exceptionally well with the sculpture’s three layers of colored acrylic. To create strong, perfectly aligned mounting points, T-nuts were glued to both the front and back of every panel. A 1⁄4–20 all-thread rod passed through these T-nuts, forming a robust, double-anchored fastening system.

This front-and-back approach produced over 50 strong, repeatable attachment points—each precisely aligned for the acrylic layers. Kerfkore’s rigidity and consistent thickness were essential to making this engineered system work. The result was a low-profile, durable connection method that was ideal for a permanent, interactive installation in a public environment.

Q: Do you see future opportunities to work with Kerfkore materials?

Absolutely. Kerfkore panels are versatile enough to support not only sculptural or artistic projects but also architectural features, donor recognition displays, branded environments, and any installation where lightweight strength and precision matter.

As more designers and fabricators search for innovative materials for commercial art, experiential installations, and large-scale interactive features, Kerfkore offers unique advantages. We look forward to future collaborations—either directly with Kerfkore or alongside partners who want to explore creative, high-impact solutions using these materials.

Partnering with Kerfkore 

We extend our sincere thanks to Chris Duh + Creative for inviting Kerfkore to play a role in bringing the Celebration Heart sculpture to life. Beyond this installation, Kerfkore continues to distinguish itself as a trusted partner for artists, designers, and fabricators who seek innovative substrates that elevate both creativity and performance. Whether applied in sculptural work, architectural features, or large-scale interactive environments, Kerfkore Foamkore provides a reliable foundation for building bold, meaningful, and visually compelling experiences.

____________________________________________________________________________

Chris Duh + Creative is a Kansas-based design studio specializing in crafting immersive, one-of-a-kind art installations and architectural environments. With decades of experience in interactive public art, donor recognition walls, and playful spaces for children and families, the team blends storytelling, visual craftsmanship, and engineering to create meaningful experiences. Their work is rooted in a commitment to quality, creativity, and accessibility—making bold ideas both achievable and impactful.