{"id":1298,"date":"2026-09-16T09:58:35","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T09:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.charlestonlandmark.com\/?page_id=1298"},"modified":"2026-09-29T11:48:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T11:48:34","slug":"winning-proposal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.charlestonlandmark.com\/index.php\/winning-proposal\/","title":{"rendered":"Winning Proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Heart of the Heartland<\/strong><\/em>  by artist Ralfonso<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a worldwide call-out for applications and the exhibition of proposals from six shortlisted artists, a winning proposal by Swiss-American artist Ralfonso<\/strong> has been selected. The mechanical sculpture is titled The Heart of the Heartland<\/strong><\/em> and combines a series of rotating heart-shaped forms which come together on the hour with a specially commissioned sound to accompany it. The engineering and construction is now underway, and our ambition is to realise the sculpture and landscaping in time for the 60th Dogwood Azalea Festival in April 2028<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the original proposal here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“A year after announcing the plans for a kinetic landmark designed to help revive the economy of my hometown, Charleston, Missouri, the project has reached an important milestone: I have finally selected the winning design for the landmark and my choice is Ralfonso\u2019s The Heart of the Heartland<\/strong><\/em>. The design is rich with meaning for the whole town. Charleston is virtually at the very center of one of the world\u2019s most famous agricultural regions \u2013 America\u2019s great Heartland. Indeed, the town\u2019s whole history and character epitomise much of it not only geographically and economically but also historically and culturally, with hard work, self-reliance, hospitality, and community spirit among its most characteristic attributes.”<\/div>