Exhibitions
“City Views ”
Staller Center
, University Art Gallery -SUNY: Stony Brook, NY
Sept. 9
- Oct. 21, 1992,
curated by Rhonda Cooper. Catalog PDF
EXHIBITING
ARTISTS:
Luis Cruz Azaceta,
Camille Billops,
Robert Birmelin, Rackstraw Downes,
Ralph Fasanella,
Red Grooms,
Yvonne Jacquette,
Bobbi Mastrangelo,
Orville Robertson,
Jan Staller
| Con Edison Maintenance | Precious Waters | City Views Monoprints |
1987 - “Con Edison Maintenance”
Installation - about Installations
Original construction
6’ x 7’ x 5.5’
Lighting designs: Scott Soupeck
Lent by the artist. Made possible with the support of the New York Foundation
for the Arts and the East End Arts Council through the Special Opportunity Stipend.
Click
Here for large Image
1992
- “Con Edison Maintenance”
Installation - about
Installations
Stage two with lights and foam barricade added.
6’ x 7’ x 5.5’
Press:
City
Views Catalog
Stony Brook
Though my art work is focused
on the theme of manhole and water covers, I believe it challenges the viewer
on many levels. The issues I address include the technology and maintenance of
our public utilities, water conservations and environmental awareness.
My personal commitment to the environment has even filtered through to my fiber choice for paper-making. I have composted the coffee grounds and scientifically recycled the used filters. They became the oatmeal-colored papers for the “City Views” monoprints.
The creation of Precious Water and the Con-Ed installation involved collaborations with a scientist my son (who is an audio engineer), a Con-Edison employee, and a lighting designer. These collaborations have given me the heightened perspective of artistic renderings.
PRECIOUS WATERS
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| Display open covers- Left: Polluted, Right: Pure Water click images to enlarge |
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INTERACTIVE SCULPTURE: Open the water covers to contrast polluted/pure waters and activate special effects.
DIMENSIONS: 60” high by 22” wide by 23” deep.
DESCRIPTION: “Precious Water” is a simulated sidewalk excerpt,
lifted from a typical old city brownstone area. The slate walk has two outwardly
identical water covers. Under the left cover, the threat of polluted water confronts
an unsuspecting viewer. Ominous sound effects combine with a murky green liquid
to create an unsettling atmosphere fill of dire predictions for our collective
future. Below the right cover exists pure water. Sounds of flowing water are
enhanced by lilting musical chords and free verse poetry.
At the rear of the sidewalk is a wrought iron fence, set in mud, moss and
molded concrete. The second layer is composed of concrete and pebble aggregate.
Below that is an area of mud and disjointed water pipes. Click
Here for large Image
The base exposes layered levels of city sub strata: sandy soil, roots, items
unearthed in soil: a comb, plastic coffee lid and an old faucet, interfaced with
slate and other metamorphic rock.
RELEVANCE: The artist provides a water cover site in geological layers. Her
involvement with water and sewer issues led to a deep environmental concern for
pure water. Precious Waters actively involves contemplation of our fragile environment.
Will the confrontation promote individual responsibility for our water protection?
Viewer Interaction to the right: Opening covers and listening.
Sound Recording: Engineering by Michael Mastrangelo
CITY VIEWS MONOPRINTS
City Views monoprints are on 17" x 14" paper hand made from scientifically recycled used coffee filters. click images to enlarge:
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| City Views I "Con Edison" |
City Views II "We're All Connected" |
City Views III "Polluted Waters" |
City Views IV "Manhattan DPW" |
