Can forms of art be functional and aid in sustainability at the same time? Yes!
Dependent on location, transformation and evolution are at the base of the cultural landscape that surrounds people daily. As time passes, individuals think thoughts, ideas form and originate into creation, microcosms grow, cities evolve, and concepts globalize. In order to keep growing and moving forward positively, the world has to sustain its resources, be energy efficient, and create new ideas to maintain preexisting spaces and places.
An energy source that shines in everyone’s minds when sustainability comes to the forefront is solar power, specifically concentrating solar energy or sunlight. In most cases today, light sustainability juxtaposes architectural design and its spatial relationships.
How do local artists react to sustainability in combination with architectural space? How can one create Art and transform it functionally?
Local Artist, Greg Braun does just that in a partnered exhibition called Contain, Maintain, Sustain held at the Artisphere, Arlington, VA. Braun’s ingenious sculptural artwork perfectly exemplifies ways in which Art can be utilized as function. In the Terrace Gallery at the Artisphere venue, He has put emphasis on preexisting gallery space by focusing on the few small natural light sources (windows) present. Braun maintains the same space by redirecting sunlight at different angles. In this sustainable artistic approach, rather than adding more artificial light, Braun has placed mirrors as angled sculpture in the molding of preexisting windows and manipulated light to accentuate the preexisting space meanwhile conserving energy.
Digital sketch of Functional Reproduction , Angled Shapes, and Reflection of Light in Space
When: Saturday, July 9, 2011 11:00am – 1pm
1101 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA, 22209
To interact first hand with Artist Greg Braun and learn more about his artwork and conceptual background, please join in on an interactive family workshop at the Artisphere outdoor terrace. In this hands-on exhibition with Braun, attendees will take mirrors and manipulate sun light in a contest to hit artistic targets along a prescribed course created by Braun.
Photos Courtesy of Greg Braun