Environmental artist and sculptor Jeanne-Claude died Wednesday night. She had suffered a brain aneurysm and died from complications.
While it is always sad to learn of anyone's death, it is also wonderful to know that someone has been able to spend their life filled with passion, doing what they love to do.
Jeanne-Claude's husband, fellow artist and collaborator, Christo will continue with the projects that the couple planned. One of those projects is a piece that will span the Arkansas River here in Colorado, near Canon City. It is estimated that this project will be completed in the summer of 2013. Federal approval is still pending for this project; Colorado officials are working with Christo's team to get "Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado" actualized.
Jeanne-Claude was 74 at the time of her death.
To read more about Jeanne-Claude and her husband Christo, click here and you will be taken to their bio page on their site.
Showing posts with label public art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public art. Show all posts
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
New Mural In Loveland Colorado
Had the opportunity to drive by the new trompe l'oeil mural (in progress) in Loveland...it is going to really be fun to watch it as it "grows"...saw them taping things off getting ready to paint...maybe I'll figure out how to download one of the photos from my new pda/phone/camera so I can post it here!
and wow I saw lots of sculptures that I hadn't seen before...that was fantastic.
Sure feel blessed to have so much fantastic art in our "little" town!
and wow I saw lots of sculptures that I hadn't seen before...that was fantastic.
Sure feel blessed to have so much fantastic art in our "little" town!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sculpture Goes Missing: Loveland Sculptor May Recreate Historic Work
Kirsten Kokkin is one of 5 artists selected as finalists in the Angel of Music competition. This competition is to be the artist selected to recreate a sculpture that was on the gravestie of American composer and pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869). The sculpture went missing in the 1950s.
How does a sculpture go missing? I guess someone must have really liked it. The marble angel was almost 5 feet tall. Also taken was the 6-1/2 foot tall marble pedestal. This is no small feat! I mean, it is not like you can just put that in your pocket!
In preparation for the new work, the pedestal has already been restored and an anitque wrought iron fence has been installed, along with greenery.
The sculpture competition is being put forth by a 501c(3) organizaion the Green-Wood Historic Fund. This organization conserves and restores the Brooklyn NY, Green-Wood Cemetery's endangered monuments. The cemetery is listed as a National Historic Landmark, is 171 years old and is the final resting place of many historical figures including Leonard Bernstein, Horace Greeley, FAO Schowartz, Samuel Morse and Boss Tweed.
Kirsten Kokkin is one of our talented local sculptors...who like most us moved here from somewhere else.
One of the things I really appreciate (dare I say "love"?) about living in Loveland, Colorado is our art community. Not just the artists, but how the community as a group embraces the arts.
We have beautiful sculptures all around the city, wonderful galleries and a fantastic museum. Kokkin's work has created quite a local controversy in the past when she created an exquisite piece, The Triangle, that was in the classical tradition, including the figures being nude. The piece ended up being relocated and can be seen in the Benson Sculpture Park.
How does a sculpture go missing? I guess someone must have really liked it. The marble angel was almost 5 feet tall. Also taken was the 6-1/2 foot tall marble pedestal. This is no small feat! I mean, it is not like you can just put that in your pocket!
In preparation for the new work, the pedestal has already been restored and an anitque wrought iron fence has been installed, along with greenery.
The sculpture competition is being put forth by a 501c(3) organizaion the Green-Wood Historic Fund. This organization conserves and restores the Brooklyn NY, Green-Wood Cemetery's endangered monuments. The cemetery is listed as a National Historic Landmark, is 171 years old and is the final resting place of many historical figures including Leonard Bernstein, Horace Greeley, FAO Schowartz, Samuel Morse and Boss Tweed.
Kirsten Kokkin is one of our talented local sculptors...who like most us moved here from somewhere else.
One of the things I really appreciate (dare I say "love"?) about living in Loveland, Colorado is our art community. Not just the artists, but how the community as a group embraces the arts.
We have beautiful sculptures all around the city, wonderful galleries and a fantastic museum. Kokkin's work has created quite a local controversy in the past when she created an exquisite piece, The Triangle, that was in the classical tradition, including the figures being nude. The piece ended up being relocated and can be seen in the Benson Sculpture Park.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Street Painters Amaze Me
Maybe because I am a sculptor not a painter, but these guys who paint 3D images on the street just amaze me!
I had seen Julian Beever's work before and he is fantastic. He works in pastels so his work is, temporal, shall we say.
Recently I was shown some images by another painter who actually paints on the streets and his work has survived rains, but apparently the weather still is the biggest challenge he faces.
Anyway, his name is Edgar Mueller and you can can his work here and also here
I found it really fun to watch the video of the making of one of his pieces, The Crevasse
I had seen Julian Beever's work before and he is fantastic. He works in pastels so his work is, temporal, shall we say.
Recently I was shown some images by another painter who actually paints on the streets and his work has survived rains, but apparently the weather still is the biggest challenge he faces.
Anyway, his name is Edgar Mueller and you can can his work here and also here
I found it really fun to watch the video of the making of one of his pieces, The Crevasse
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Performance Art in Antwerp Belgium
This is a departure from my usual art themes...certainly from sculpture...but it is so fun I thought I should share!
Hope you enjoyed it!
Hope you enjoyed it!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sculpture In the Community
More and more developers are discovering the value of including sculptures in their projects.
Recently I mentioned a local artist who has been commissioned to create sculptures for a project in Kansas.
Closer to home, Thompson Crossing, here in Loveland has created their own scupture walk. The area encompasses 40 acres of open space. The walk itself is 1-1/2 miles and runs through the neighborhood and down along the natural area, including the Big Thompson River.
The sculpture walk features 25 pieces of stone and bronze. Rather than sculptures of wildlife, Gary Hoover, president of Hartford Development Corporation, chose pieces that evoke thoughts and emotions. He combined the art with quotes which are engraved in stone with the goal of further provoking thoughts or touching the viewer.
In addition to the sculpture area, the walk has its nature area where the artwork is the flesh and blood wildlife that frequents it, such as fox, coyotes, ducks, geese and wild turkeys. Additionally there have been placed large boulders for seating so one can contemplate the river and enjoy the scene and sounds of nature.
Recently I mentioned a local artist who has been commissioned to create sculptures for a project in Kansas.
Closer to home, Thompson Crossing, here in Loveland has created their own scupture walk. The area encompasses 40 acres of open space. The walk itself is 1-1/2 miles and runs through the neighborhood and down along the natural area, including the Big Thompson River.
The sculpture walk features 25 pieces of stone and bronze. Rather than sculptures of wildlife, Gary Hoover, president of Hartford Development Corporation, chose pieces that evoke thoughts and emotions. He combined the art with quotes which are engraved in stone with the goal of further provoking thoughts or touching the viewer.
In addition to the sculpture area, the walk has its nature area where the artwork is the flesh and blood wildlife that frequents it, such as fox, coyotes, ducks, geese and wild turkeys. Additionally there have been placed large boulders for seating so one can contemplate the river and enjoy the scene and sounds of nature.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Phyllis Walbye
It is with sadness that I report that Phyllis Walbye of Loveland, Colorado passed away this week.
Phyllis gave to her community for more than 3 decades. She and her husband George were part of the cornerstone of the arts community here.
Phyllis worked for the Loveland paper as the Arts and Entertainment Editor. She was also a writer and editor for the Valley Window magazine. She reviewed plays, movies and art events -- sharing her opinions and imbuing the readers with new appreciation for the fantastic arts we have here.
Phyllis gave to her community for more than 3 decades. She and her husband George were part of the cornerstone of the arts community here.
Phyllis worked for the Loveland paper as the Arts and Entertainment Editor. She was also a writer and editor for the Valley Window magazine. She reviewed plays, movies and art events -- sharing her opinions and imbuing the readers with new appreciation for the fantastic arts we have here.
A founding member of the Loveland Visual Arts Commission in 1985 Phyllis was instrumental in developing the guidelines for the public art projects that now grace our city.
Now a permanent part of the community arts culture with an annual Rialto Theater film series inspired by her columns. The series began in 2001 and continues to this day.
But her opinions were not just appreciated by the local community -- even the LA Times was known to call for her opinions about upcoming Oscars.
Condolences to George and family. Phyllis made a huge impact on our community and she will be missed.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Love Art But Can't Create It?
I've talked to lots of people who love and appreciate art but say they just can't do it. "I'm not creative" is a phrase I hear quite often.
Phewy...not sure how to spell that, but you get my drift...
We are all CREATIVE, just in different ways! So if you love art but think you can't do it consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe you never gave yourself a chance.
Have you tried but never taken any lessons, just thought you'd be able to do it without any training? Did you try, maybe even with a good teacher, and expect to be a master at the first attempt?Or did you try a long time ago and think that because it has been so long, and you weren't "that good back then" that you are beyond hope? Or do you think that "art education" is only for full-time students, housewives or retirees?
None of those are true. If you really want to learn to be a better artist (and the wanting is key here) then take a class! And give yourself a break! You didn't learn to drive in a day, did you? Hmmmm, maybe that explains some of the folks I see on the roads lately!
And if you still are convinced you cannot be an artist (and who says you have to be "great" to enjoy it???) and/or you love art and want to participate some how--look to your city. Many cities and towns have programs that buy art as part of the cost of public buildings.
Contact your local government and see if they have a board or commission that has citizen members. I know in our area, the members are made up of a cross section of the citizenry. There are artists on the board, but most of the members are art lovers who may or may not be able to "draw a straight line"!
Phewy...not sure how to spell that, but you get my drift...
We are all CREATIVE, just in different ways! So if you love art but think you can't do it consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe you never gave yourself a chance.
Have you tried but never taken any lessons, just thought you'd be able to do it without any training? Did you try, maybe even with a good teacher, and expect to be a master at the first attempt?Or did you try a long time ago and think that because it has been so long, and you weren't "that good back then" that you are beyond hope? Or do you think that "art education" is only for full-time students, housewives or retirees?
None of those are true. If you really want to learn to be a better artist (and the wanting is key here) then take a class! And give yourself a break! You didn't learn to drive in a day, did you? Hmmmm, maybe that explains some of the folks I see on the roads lately!
And if you still are convinced you cannot be an artist (and who says you have to be "great" to enjoy it???) and/or you love art and want to participate some how--look to your city. Many cities and towns have programs that buy art as part of the cost of public buildings.
Contact your local government and see if they have a board or commission that has citizen members. I know in our area, the members are made up of a cross section of the citizenry. There are artists on the board, but most of the members are art lovers who may or may not be able to "draw a straight line"!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Artist-in-Residence Program
Rocky Mountain National Park is a gorgeous place just down the road a bit from me. Today it was announced that they are accepting applications for their 2009 summer Artist-in-Residence program.
Applications are due by Dec. 1, 2008.
Painters, photographers, sculptors, composers and poets are among the artists who have participated in this program.
The participants give two public presentations as part of the program. They stay for two weeks at the William Allen White cabin. In exchange for the privilege of staying in the cabin, artists are requested to donate a piece that is representative of their stay. The piece is to be donated within one year of participation.
Sounds like a wonderful experience!
To read more about the program or to download a brochure and/or application, go to the Rocky Mountain National Park website.
Applications are due by Dec. 1, 2008.
Painters, photographers, sculptors, composers and poets are among the artists who have participated in this program.
The participants give two public presentations as part of the program. They stay for two weeks at the William Allen White cabin. In exchange for the privilege of staying in the cabin, artists are requested to donate a piece that is representative of their stay. The piece is to be donated within one year of participation.
Sounds like a wonderful experience!
To read more about the program or to download a brochure and/or application, go to the Rocky Mountain National Park website.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Art on Loan
Many people are familiar with art on loan to a museum. There is typically a nice sign by the piece or exhibition, citing who has generously lent the piece. The lender may be the artist or, more frequently, a collector.
Artists can often lend their art to their community as well. This is a win-win situation for both artist and community as well as the citizens.
This sort of program saves cities and towns money because rather than buying the works, they typically pay for moving the piece(s), set up and insuring the work. This is a benefit to the artist because their work is viewed by more people, and they get the sense of pride of contributing something to their community. And the citizens benefit because they get the opportunity to see pieces they might otherwise miss.
My city of Loveland, Colorado is considering a sculpture loan program which would be administered through our Visual Arts Commission. I'm looking forward to this new addition to our wonderful City of the arts!
Artists can often lend their art to their community as well. This is a win-win situation for both artist and community as well as the citizens.
This sort of program saves cities and towns money because rather than buying the works, they typically pay for moving the piece(s), set up and insuring the work. This is a benefit to the artist because their work is viewed by more people, and they get the sense of pride of contributing something to their community. And the citizens benefit because they get the opportunity to see pieces they might otherwise miss.
My city of Loveland, Colorado is considering a sculpture loan program which would be administered through our Visual Arts Commission. I'm looking forward to this new addition to our wonderful City of the arts!
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