http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/public039s-help-needed-create-art-pallets_66749.mp3
The public art installation that will go up at the Springfield Art Museum tomorrow is a project of Art of Space, which describes itself as celebrating “the vitality of Springfield through a communal process of making spatial art.”
It’s made up mostly of Drury students but welcomes participation by anyone.
Gerard Nadeau is an assistant professor of architecture at Drury. He says Art of Space is interested in art as an event.
"We create installations that are very spatial in their quality. They're interactive as spaces so that you can walk into them. You enter them, you have a physical relationship to them," he said.
According to Nadeau, they’re aiming for a social engagement that’s similar to a barn raising.
Tomorrow, Art of Space wants the public to help build a massive art installation on the Springfield Art Museum lawn.
"Mostly what we'll be doing is stacking wood pallets on top of each other and corbelling them to create overhangs that create these kind of very organic, naturalistic spaces," he said.
He says there will be a lot lifting, but the end result will be rewarding.
The art installation will remain at the Art Museum through November 2nd for the public to enjoy. Nadeau says it will change over time.
"It will look different at different times of day. We're planning an illumination of it at some point in the fall, probably around Halloween. They look very striking at night when there's a strong internal illumination. They're highly visible and beautiful, and that will be a kind of jack-o-lantern for the Halloween holiday," he said.
Nadeau says if no one shows up tomorrow to help with the installation, it will be a totally failed endeavor. He says, while a few people can create something beautiful over several days, he always hopes for the excitement that’s generated when many people come together to create a work of art.
The installation will begin tomorrow morning (8/24) at 9.
For KSMU News, I’m Michele Skalicky.