This post comes to you from Green Public Art
On May 6, 2011, H20: The Art of Conservation, at the Water Conservation Garden, San Diego, CA, will open to the public. Green Public Art reviewed over 1100 artists portfolios before inviting 14 San Diego artists to participate in the exhibition which offers San Diego homeowners an artistic alternative to incorporate water conservation into their own garden spaces. Green Public Art awarded each artist a mini-grant to develop their site-specific sculptures. In the weeks leading up to the exhibition opening the artist’s concepts will be revealed on this site. Questions? Contact Rebecca Ansert, Curator, Green Public Art at rebecca@greenpublicart.com.
CONCEPT: Leaky Faucets (waste study). Living in a desert, water is a precious commodity and a huge amount of it is wasted everyday. The obvious culprits of course are people over-watering lawns and non-indigenous plants that cannot withstand the harsh climate, and swimming pools as far as the eye can see. These are the glaring types of waste that I often focus on. However, waste does not only happen on such a grand scale. We can all do our part in conserving what little water we have. Leaky Faucets (waste study) addresses this ordinary household waste and misuse by exaggerating it. The iconic house form is overrun with plumbing and faucets, all continuously dripping. In this house though, the water is constantly cycling back through itself. This endless cycle suggests both a seemingly endless supply of water and cycle of waste that goes on indefinitely. A solar pump powers this system, serving its functional purpose as well as adding another layer of content to the work. The use of solar to power a house of perpetual waste is an ironic twist and commentary on the idea of “offsetting†ones negative impact.
ABOUT: Growing up in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and then going to college and living in the Hudson Valley meant that Adam John Manley‘s experience of his surroundings was primarily one of dense mountains and green forests, not to mention harsh winters. This landscape formed his personality and sense of place. The decision to move to San Diego, in order to attend an MFA program, was one based both on the program that he was joining and the dramatic shift in environments. Since relocating, Manley has found much of his artistic inspiration in the desert and urban landscapes of San Diego and the southern California region. His work, primarily in wood but containing various mixed media as well, has become a sort of conversation with as well as about these new surroundings. Adam John Manley is currently in his final semester of an MFA in the furniture and wood program at San Diego State, and intends to stay and further pursue this body of sculptural work in this unique environment and landscape.
Rebecca Ansert, founder of Green Public Art, is an art consultant who specializes in artist solicitation, artist selection, and public art project management for both private and public agencies. She is a graduate of the master’s degree program in Public Art Studies at the University of Southern California and has a unique interest in how art can demonstrate green processes or utilize green design theories and techniques in LEED certified buildings.
Green Public Art is a Los Angeles-based consultancy that was founded in 2009 in an effort to advance the conversation of public art’s role in green building. The consultancy specializes in public art project development and management, artist solicitation and selection, creative community involvement and knowledge of LEED building requirements. Green Public Art also works with emerging and mid-career studio artists to demystify the public art process. The consultancy acts as a resource for artists to receive one-on-one consultation before, during, and after applying for a public art project.