Located in downtown Reno, Nevada, Bloom is a masterful hot-dip galvanized art piece that stands 20’ high and 8’ wide. Michael Christian, the owner of Xian Productions, created the sculpture in four sections. The bottom base area is comprised by plasma cutting hundreds of small oblong parts then welding them together to create the coarse, bark-like texture. The eleven shoots were made from meticulously bending hundreds of quarter inch wires, then welding a steel ring to hold them together. The third section, the stalks are fabricated from round tubes cut into different lengths and welded together to give the look of progressive grown over many years. Finally, the beautiful blooms on the top of the piece are fabricated from half inch wires woven together to look like flower buds. Each bloom holds a light, set to dim and glow at different times throughout the night. 

Christian used hot-dip galvanizing on this piece because he knew the zinc coating would reliably protect his hard work through the varying weather in Reno including 100 degree heat in the summer, heavy rain in spring and fall, and as cold as 20 below and snow in the winter. In addition to the extended corrosion protection, Christian worked with the galvanizer to ensure the galvanized would provide a uniform look. The galvanizer provided information to Christian about the use of different steel surfaces on the piece and how that can lead to different final appearances.

After further discussion and review of information from the American Galvanizers Association (AGA), Christian opted to have the piece sand blasted to increase the chances of a more uniform coating as well as limit excessive growth on any reactive steel used on the piece. The added step was well worth it as the piece turned out beautiful and ready to take its place blocks from the world-famous arch Reno, The Biggest Little City in the World sign. Thanks to hot-dip galvanizing, the residents and thousands of tourists alike can enjoy the design and beauty of Bloom day and night for many decades to come.