Client: Irvine Valley College Life Sciences Building

Overview

Five panel mural for Life Sciences Building at Irvine Valley College. Size: seventy-five square feet. Materials: recycled ceramic and stained glass; stone and minerals; metal.

Goals

We were commissioned to create a mural that presented an abstract vision of the sweep of geologic time, through the emergence of the species to the industrial age and beyond, for the new Life Sciences Building at Irvine Valley College. We drew inspiration from the microbes of a peaceful pond, violent eruptions of a volcano, a stunning sunset, a startling earthquake, the daily hustle of our city; and were also moved by our tesserae, a vast collection of natural materials, detritus of urban life, breathtaking colorful clouds in stained glass, discarded pottery shards and ceramic studio test pieces – all the while mindful of the professors' suggested subordinate theme "from chaos to order."

Process

Working with the department of Life Science and Technology, Program Director Dawn Mendelson created the overall design, leaving details open for Piece by Piece artists to express their individual ideas through the use of unique materials. We have a talented team of professional artist instructors including Luz Mack Durini, Leigh Adams and Bea Jones, as well as a strong and energetic group of artists participating in the collaboration and fabrication of each project we create.