Regeneration / permanent installation, completed June 08, 2008
Public arts piece funded by the 2% percent for the arts ordinance for all city funded construction
The City of El Paso's Museum and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD), El Paso, Texas
Our challange was to create a modern dynamic installation that would be a centerpiece transitional point for medical students, teachers, doctors and patients traveling from the school to the hospitals. The concept began with field sketch studies of native medicinal plants abstracted (to comment on historical healing practices of native people of the region). We also created several composites of colorized scans of the sketches and computer generated plant representations.
Regeneration, 2008 Installation view, Alberta Way, El Paso, Texas Custom designed cinderblock wall, silicate mineral paint 9 walls; 2 walls - 8'x10', 2 walls - 16'x8', 4 walls - 4'x10', 1 wall - 22'x10'
Regeneration, detail view, 2008
The overall idea was to create an area of contemplation and inspiration and to challenge the viewer to create connections visually. Because of the proximity to the hospital we realized that many of the viewers thoughts would be on topics of healing and ways to provide a better way of living. These thoughts are ideas and the generation of those ideas can me made by making new connections. Abstraction in essence forces the viewer to see and think differently. Just how Zen Meditation asks unanswerable questions to help discover "True Self".
Location: Alberta Way - between The Paul Foster Medical School (El Paso's newest addition to the city's "Health District") and Thomason Hospital (El Paso County's Community Hospital).
Regeneration, detail view, 2008
Regeneration, detail view, 2008