ET Modern Gallery Presentation - Stone and Art in Nature

Blustery winds carried a host of folks into ET Modern Gallery for my presentation, ‘Stone and Art in Nature’ on Saturday. So many of them were old friends that it felt more like a party than a slide show. Edward Tufte’s Chelsea gallery is a fantastic venue for informal get-togethers. His latest sculpture series, “All Possible Photons”, shimmers and shadow-dances on the walls.

My talk highlighted contemporary artists whose works explore varying aspects of the natural world. The work of geologic time on the earth’s face was also discussed, as was it’s influence on my constructions in stone.

Thanks to Mahmoud, Andrei, Don, Alex, Ben and Grant for pulling it all together. And special thanks to Edward for the invitation and the inspiration.

© All rights reserved Dan Snow In the Company of Stone

The Tarriance Sculpture Proposal

Being chosen as a finalist in a competition, and asked to submit a sculpture proposal, got me thinking. Here’s an institution of higher learning looking for a piece of art to grace the exterior of a new building on their campus. What could I offer that would enrich the sensory experience of students, faculty, staff and visitors? Equally important, how could a sculpture settle comfortably into the physical constraints of its surroundings? Landscape architect Todd Lynch and I put our heads together and came up with a proposal, now being reviewed, that I hope answers these questions.

The TARRIANCE: a sculpture proposal for Central Oregon Community College’s Science Building Entrance Plaza
My desire is to assemble a collection of unique stone features, set amidst plantings of medicinal herbs and flowers, that contrast the surrounding hardscape and compliment the architectural elements of the building.  
Two naturally smooth-contoured stones, 1-3 tons in size, will rest on cribbing constructed of rough-split, quarried stones. The sculptural features will seem to float above plaza surfaces, and also interact with existing stone walls by coming into direct physical contact with them at precise points. One of the natural stones and many of the quarried stones will lend themselves to seating.
The Hardiness Zone 6 plants chosen for this installation all have medicinal properties. Incorporating healing plants into the walk-way extends the mission of the science library beyond its walls and provides a reflective metaphor for those passing by. As one ascends the steps from the road to the library, the clinical uses of the plants become more complex. Plants create a dynamic relationship with the rock through seasonal change, motion and texture.
Elements of the sculpture will present a variety of shapes and sizes, creating compliments of scale within the piece itself and with surrounding architectural features. I see the building entrance area as a conduit for pedestrian traffic, a meeting place, and an island of natural beauty and tranquillity. It’s my hope that the plaza terraces, steps, walls, stone features and plantings will merge and become one holistic, environmental art experience.
Dimensions: 18’x22’ (includes one existing wall)
Materials: 2 natural shaped stones (1-3 tons), 30 quarried cribbing stones (4’-10’ long), fastening hardware, plants.

© All rights reserved Dan Snow In the Company of Stone

Diamond Mines Frosted with Snow

Birgit, Elin’s Danish aunt, took a walk in the winter woods of TICKON recently to find my “Diamond Mines” frosted with snow. Only having seen the piece in autumn, when I completed it, it’s exciting for me to have a glimpse of how it looks in a different season. Thanks, Birgit, Lars, Susanne, Thomas and Soffie!

Unlike the majority of the world’s art pieces, displayed in controlled settings of four walls and artificial lighting, environmental art works are not fixed in time or static in space. They develop a life of their own beyond their moment of creation. To view a piece of environmental art over a span of time is to connect what was known with what is new, to accept what’s been lost and celebrate what’s been found. Environmental art doesn’t stand outside of our experience. It’s sympathetic to the human condition.

© All rights reserved Dan Snow In the Company of Stone

Light and Shadow Boxed in Stone

Another spurt of mild weather found me back in Connecticut for more work on Hogpen Hill. Chuck, Jared, Matt and Brian joined me in continuing the walling events begun on the previous visit, three weeks ago, and in starting something new.

Edward Tufte’s thinking about what he’d like done on his land evolves as the work progresses. Derelict portions of old agricultural fence are being removed and replaced with dry stone features that introduce new elements of light and shadow to their lengths. The traditional concept of a wall creating a barrier between spaces is turned inside out.

Opposite sides of the wall talk to each other through these new constructions. Walls have become windows and doors to the other side. And in the case of the latest construction, the wall becomes an elevated, zig-zag pathway with entry and exit ramps allowing communication from end to end, and side to side.  

One tradition is being kept. All the stone for creating the new events is harvested on the property. Friable ledge outcrops are being jiggled apart by the back hoe bucket and transported a few hundred yards with the track dump to the building site. Thanks to Tom and John for keeping us supplied with fresh goods.

© All rights reserved Dan Snow In the Company of Stone