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Artist Designs Works for New York Gallery |
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Megan Mangano |
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Dec 2, 2003 |
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| A detail from “Haul,” one of the works by Barbara Miner that was featured in “Inspired by Nature” at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in New York. |
Barbara Miner, UT assistant professor of art, was awarded the opportunity to present a dual exhibition titled “Inspired by Nature” with artist Steve Buchanan at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in New York. Their Halloween-inspired artwork graced the Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery from Oct. 18 through Nov. 16.
Miner’s work was chosen from hundreds of applicants. “The gallery accepts national and international submissions so I knew I would be competing with a lot of other artists,” Miner said. “About eight months ago I received a phone call from the gardens and then the planning began.”
The phone call was from Anita Jacobs, director of public programs at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. “When I viewed the slides that Barbara submitted, I could see that she was able to use space very well. She could take a sterile environment and make it beautiful,” Jacobs said. She also said she liked the way Miner used texture. “It just makes you want to reach out and touch the work.”
After Miner received word that her works were selected for the exhibition, it was time to start planning. She took a road trip to New York to assess the area she would be working with. “The gallery had a very industrial feel to it. There are four skylights that give the site good airflow. I saw it as a place that could really come alive,” Miner said.
She suspended forms loosely based on single-celled animals called diatoms in columns beneath the skylights. “There was strong air flow in the underground gallery space, and the suspended pieces twirled and became alive,” Miner said. “The installation was intended to redefine the gallery space in a way ordinary 2-D work hung on walls cannot. People seeing the movement upon entering the space were drawn to the pieces and stood and watched them move.”
Miner’s works incorporated texture, color and forms that make a direct reference to nature. “The movement of her pieces was incredible,” Jacobs said.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, founded in 1910, is described as a peaceful oasis in the hectic city. “I especially liked the idea of having a show in the gallery because it was different. It wasn’t a typical commercial gallery, but instead a beautiful space that had many things to offer,” Miner said.
Miner said the work that did was an outgrowth of a project started with grant funding from the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.
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